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.
Trump Administration Extradites Alleged Major Narco-Terrorist ‘The Spider’ to US to Face Charges
AOC’s Trip Out of NYC Seen as a Hint at Her Aspirations for 2028
Rubio confirms ‘foreign actor’ involved in UK terror plot
Real winner of Xi summit revealed as Trump looks to usher in new era with China
Connecticut Homeowner Finds Himself in Cuffs After Opening Fire on Bear to Protect His Animals
Dick’s Sporting Goods Blocks Customers from Ordering Custom, Christian-Themed Water Bottles – Allows Islam
Jack Smith faces Senate grilling as Republicans press for criminal charges against him
Gaza refugee raised $13,000 on GoFundMe for alleged terrorist husband to enter US
State Department considers sharing passport records for voter citizenship checks
Lindsay Clancy’s push to probe holdout juror hits snag before pivotal retrial hearing
Kentucky trooper, father of 3, gunned down during traffic stop as suspect captured after manhunt
Lindsay Clancy holdout juror asks for one thing in new video after mistrial drama
Philadelphia serial killer probe brings in reinforcements to dig through home tied to missing women: report
Trump CMS faces bipartisan pushback over Medicare proposal tied to Biden-era drug pricing law
AI Companies and Major Unions Join Together for New Data Center Push
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.
