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.
Arizona Republican holds House seat, surviving re-election scare
White House doubles down after Trump angers base by floating illegal alien deal with Dems
Hakeem Jeffries’ Speakership Hopes Take a Blow as Newly Elected Democrats Bring Chaos on Their First Day in D.C.
Three Former Trump Admin Officials Launch $1 Billion Company That Puts a New Spin on Data Centers
Spanish prime minister calls meeting over ‘migration emergency’ as thousands surge into Canary Islands
Two people arrested after vehicle crashes into sidewalk near White House
Secret Service arrests two after car crash and barricade breach outside White House
Trump’s Sudden Reversal on Immigration Sparks Cries of ‘Betrayal’ from Conservatives, Cheers from Pro-Amnesty GOP Rep.
Kathy Hochul entertains massive political promotion as Democrats look ahead to 2028
Multiple Senate Republicans Throw a Wrench in John Thune’s Bid to Retain Leadership Spot
Bombshell Video – Trump Retreats on Deportations: ICE Operations ‘Too Tough,’ Deporting Millions ‘Pretty Far Right’
Bombshell Video – Trump Retreats on Deportations: ICE Operations ‘Too Tough,’ Deporting Millions ‘Pretty Far Right’
GOP faces daunting post-election test as grip on Congress nears end and more top headlines
Nvidia is ALL-IN on ‘Accelerated AI’
Nvidia is ALL-IN on ‘Accelerated AI’
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.
