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.
IRS confirms Trump-ordered $1,776 ‘Warrior Dividend’ for 1.45M troops is tax-free
Michael Cohen says NY prosecutors ‘pressured and coerced’ him into anti-Trump testimony
Illegal alien with 24 convictions among ‘worst of the worst’ arrested in Minnesota ICE operation: DHS
CNN Forced to Admit Trump’s Efforts Have Already Had a ‘Huge’ Impact on Housing Affordability
Mother of Hunter Biden’s Youngest Daughter Asks Judge to Jail Him for ‘Ghosting’ Girl
Elderly Man Sues McDonald’s, Says Staff Failed to Act Before Wife Was Killed by Vagrant in Unprovoked Drive-Thru Attack
Schumer reveals ‘bipartisan’ plans to reverse DOGE cuts as lawmakers work through funding push
Cat caught on camera starting dangerous kitchen fire after jumping on stove and turning on burner
Mamdani announces $2.1M settlement with major landlord as tenants describe ‘nightmare’ conditions
Utah County accuses Tyler Robinson legal team of ‘ambush’ effort to disqualify prosecutors
Tyler Robinson Seeks to Upend Case by Getting Prosecutors Disqualified
DOJ urges judge to reject lawmakers’ bid for special master in Epstein files dispute
Cancer-stricken children urge Bernie Sanders to back life-saving pediatric healthcare bill
Hunter Biden accused of ghosting daughter with Lunden Roberts and violating child support agreement
Colbert Reminds Us Why He Was Canceled, Smears ICE Agents as ‘Masked Goons’ Who Are ‘Victimizing’ Minnesota
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.
