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.
North Korean Hackers Hijacked US Employee Webcams to Steal Hundreds of Millions – The FBI Just Put a Stop to It
These AI Startups Want To Predict Your Moves, Speak For The Dead — And ‘Take Your Jobs’
Buttigieg takes swipe at Trump administration amid FAA flight chaos
NYC DSA urges AOC to run for president while planning to take over City Council
Congress’ incoming wealthiest member vows to crack down on politicians getting rich in office
Virginia parents charged after house party draws hundreds of teens, fireworks and alleged underage drinking
OnlyFans model Courtney Clenney moved to new prison, listed as minimum custody inmate: records
Trump’s top officials retreat behind military gates as ex-FBI deputy points to what’s fueling threats
Dem Senator Who Called for RFK Jr to ‘Resign or Be Fired’ Is Backed By Big Pharma
Inside Senate GOP’s tense post-election reckoning as Thune clashes with Republican critics
Fed Up Over Soaring Power Bills, Georgia Voters Hand Spend-Happy Democrats Power Over What They Pay for Electricity
Democrat Pushes GOP Leadership to Renew Warrantless Spying Before His Party Takes Power
Bird Flu Outbreak Rages in Blue State as Illegal Farm Hands Dodge Health Officials, Union Says
Marc Siegel hopes readers will ‘look for signs from God’ through his new book The Angels Among Us
Small town residents cry for help as immigrant influx fueled by trucking industry has unintended consequences
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.
