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.
Retired Air Force Major General with Links to UFO Researcher Goes Missing – Search Underway
Legalize prostitution effort left candidate ‘shocked’ in blue state with rampant human trafficking
WATCH: Democratic Lawmaker Calls ‘Moms for Liberty’ a ‘Terrorist Group’ Then Doubles Down After Being Called Out
Old Dominion University shooter identified as Mohamed Jalloh, former National Guard member, ISIS supporter
FBI held active shooter training at Michigan synagogue weeks before attack
Manchin rips Cornyn for filibuster flip as Texas GOP runoff looms
Schumer swings at Hegseth over king crab meals for the troops, but Biden-era receipts show similar tab
Trump’s evolving stance on Iran ‘unconditional surrender’
Dems vote to keep DHS closed despite airport chaos, Iranian sleeper cell threat
BREAKING: Man Intentionally Rams Vehicle Into Michigan Synagogue and Opens Fire
Watch: Scott Jennings Calls on Internet to Fact-Check His CNN Colleague’s Insane Claim About Pete Hegseth
FBI responds to attack on Temple Israel synagogue in Michigan
Trump-backed affordable housing overhaul clears Senate, while House GOP raises red flags
Clyburn, 85, bucks Democrat generational revolt with bid for 18th term in Congress
New Bill to Ban Abortion Pill Hits Senate
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.
