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.
The single crushing problem American cattle ranchers wish Trump would fix instead
‘The View’ Under FCC Investigation Over Interview with Texas Dem
‘We Will Pay’: Savannah Guthrie Responds to Kidnapper Demands Via Video
Turning Point USA’s ‘All-American Halftime Show’: Everything you need to know
American Skiers Buried Under Avalanche of Criticism Over Anti-ICE Comments
Super Bowl Sunday: Here are some of the political, social commercials you can expect during the big game
Op-Ed: In a Politically Divided America, Where Does Relocation Fit In?
LA city councilwoman previously backed by DSA running for mayor in primary challenge to former ally Bass
Tom Homan Reveals How Many Anti-ICE Agitators Have Been Arrested: Many Are Paying the Price
Newsom Devastated By Mom’s Suicide, Still Wants To Let Your Mother Kill Herself
Shannon Bream’s new book on Biblical ‘overcomers’ explores ‘purpose’ within trials
West Virginia worked with ICE — 650 arrests later, officials say Minnesota-style ‘chaos’ is a choice
Reform defector explains party succeeds because it’s not embarrassed of ‘Rule Britannia’ nostalgia and culture
Agitators Sabotage Winter Olympics Opening, Throw Fireworks as Police Fight Back with Water Cannon, Tear Gas
Federal appeals court upholds Trump mass detention policy for illegal immigrants
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.
