President Donald Trump poured cold water on the idea that the U.S. and Mexico might reach an agreement by the end of the week that would avoid a 5 percent tariff going into effect on Mexican imports.
“I think it’s more likely that the tariffs go on,” Trump said at a press conference during a state visit to London.
Trump’s comment was in stark contrast to the hopeful comments from Mexican officials that an agreement would be reached.
“I think that we have 80 percent in favor of a negotiation [that would stop tariffs from being implemented], 20 percent that maybe it’s difficult to reach an agreement,” Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said Tuesday at a press conference at the Mexican Embassy in Washington. “I’d suppose that the imposition of tariffs can be avoided.”
Last week, Trump made a surprise announcement that the U.S. would initiate a 5 percent tariff on imports from Mexico unless Mexico does more to stop the cascade of people from Central America crossing its territory to reach the U.S. Trump said the tariffs would kick-in on June 10 and rise 5 percent per month, reach 25 percent by October.
NFL Star Comes to Defense of NBA Player Who Was Cut for Biblical Comments: ‘The World Calls Us Crazy’
On July 1, A Florida Airport Will Officially Become Donald J. Trump Int’l Airport and Get Corresponding New Airport Code
Dem lawmaker sparks online firestorm after saying Iryna Zarutska mural doesn’t align with city’s values
Former San Francisco Human Rights Commission leader accused of ‘self-dealing,’ public corruption
Ground Stops Ordered for DC-Area Airports
Vance: White House Plans to ‘Go After’ Ilhan Omar for Alleged Immigration Fraud
NYC Dem, Hochul aide under investigation over alleged migrant shelter bribes
Democrats pounce on $4 a gallon gas, blame Trump’s Iran war for ‘broken promise’
Woman Tries Getting Birth Certificate, SS Card, and Marriage License to See if Dems Are Honest – Says She Caught Them Lying Through Their Teeth
Trump Seethes After France Blocks American Military Planes: ‘The USA Will Remember’
Hegseth reveals covert visit to troops fighting in Operation Epic Fury
Trump’s proposed presidential library revealed as towering Miami skyscraper in striking new video
Outrage grows as ICE detainer ignored in connection to killing of 24-year-old mother and more top headlines
Scoop: House Speaker Mike Johnson’s allies unleash $10M campaign to spotlight Trump tax cuts
Florida county’s Democratic Party chair accused of hitting man in head with bullhorn at ‘No Kings’ protest
On Tuesday in London, Trump reiterated those plans. He also said that he did not think Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill would act to block the tariffs, saying it would be “foolish” to do so.
Trump has told close aides in similar situations that he thinks it is often necessary to apply tariffs first and negotiate deals afterward in order to prove he is not bluffing. He sees tariffs as motivating other countries that want access to U.S. consumers to make concessions in negotiations.
Story cited here.
