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.
Climber dies in fatal fall on Colorado 14er south of Aspen
US forces sink narco-refueling station linked to Ecuadorian cartel in Pacific: SOUTHCOM
Trump Pre-empts Canada’s Retaliatory Tariffs by Telling Jet Maker Bombardier ‘No More Selling’ in US
‘You’re Fired’: Police Event Scraps Jelly Roll Performance in Response to Trump-Bashing on ‘Kimmel’
Watch: Stadium Erupts as Florida Brings Back Chant That Was Banned for Years Due to Imaginary ‘Racist’ History
Leftists Call for Murder of Liberal Financial YouTuber for Promoting Personal Responsibility to Overcome Debt
Trump Admin Preparing Plan to Boost Nuclear Families by Paying Stay-at-Home Moms: Report
NTSB reveals if crew survived Amazon cargo jet disaster as it shares details about victims
Dem Governor Orders Flags at Half-Staff for Gloria Steinem – Will Remain Lowered on Anniversary of Charlie Kirk’s Murder
Menendez brothers granted 2027 parole hearing a year earlier than expected
Convicted Murderer Karmelo Anthony Now Begging Supporters for Another $250,000
New Mexico’s Dem Governor Triggered After Trump Jokingly Suggests New Name for Her State
Radical Muslim Kills Gay Pro-Palestine Activist Outside Gay Bar
WJ Straw Poll: Rubio Surges to Commanding Lead, Vance Cruises Past Massie
Alleged cryptoscam ringleader set for plea hearing in $240M bitcoin theft
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.
