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.
Newsom Commutes Sentences of California’s 548 Prisoners on Death Row
Meghan Markle’s father arrested on federal child pornography charges
Allies fear relying on US after Starshield disruption demonstrated ‘kill switch’ threat
Dems pivot from ‘affordability’ pitch to DHS probe threats after midterm wins
Russia secretly bolstered Iran’s missile arsenal before war with US, records uncover
Prosecutor overseeing Trump ‘grand conspiracy’ investigation resigns
‘I Wanted to Punch Them in the Face’: Charles Barkley Blasts Trick or Treaters, and the Full Story Makes It Almost Relatable
Lauren Boebert’s Campaign Investigating ‘Very Unusual Voting Patterns’ as She Trails in Tight Race
Progressive group’s 182-page blueprint maps out potential Dem investigations into Trump, corporate allies
‘Pro-Palestine’ Protesters Show True Colors By Targeting Jewish Businesses in Philadelphia Day Before Kristallnacht Anniversary
Former US senator and West Virginia governor Jay Rockefeller dies at 89
GOP redistricting scheme goes awry
In a new version of Stephen King’s classic, we get the ‘Carrie’ we deserve
Patrick Stewart, 1940-2026
2028 GOP battle lines emerge as Vance, Cruz, DeSantis clash over midterm losses and more top headlines
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.
