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.
Man Arrested After Attack on School Bus Seriously Injures 8-Year-Old Girl
Iran’s crown prince calls for renewed nationwide protests despite killings: ‘This is a war’
Brooks Koepka Returns to PGA Tour, Opening the Door for Other LIV Stars – But There’s an $85 Million Catch
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Trump declares himself Venezuela’s ‘acting president’
Trump announces ‘final’ 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran regime
Former Navy SEAL convicted for trying to harm police with explosives during California ‘No Kings’ protests
Celebrities Wear Anti-ICE Pins at Golden Globes in Tribute to Renee Good
House Democrats ask judge to block Noem’s revived ICE visit rule, say DHS defied court order
Conservative legal group targets CFPB rule mandating race, sex data in home loans
Trump Says the Military ‘Is Looking at Some Strong Options’ on Iran
DOJ charges illegal immigrant with Tren de Aragua ties after Border Patrol shooting in Portland
Riley Gaines says her show’s rebrand will ‘broaden’ its scope of discussions
Powell reveals what it would take to step down from the Fed as pressure mounts
Trump pledges to uncover leftist groups countering ICE
Minneapolis Police Finally Do Their Jobs: 30 ICE Protesters Detained Already
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.
