Mexico vows to battle Trump’s latest tariff threat
Mexico is pushing back against President Donald Trump’s threat to impose escalating tariffs unless it does more to curb illegal migration.
Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said Monday that his country is “doing its part” to address the issue of migration and will not accept any measures that violate its sovereignty. Ebrard is scheduled to meet Wednesday with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington to discuss the situation.
Trump tweeted Friday that he would impose a 5% tariff on all goods imported from Mexico starting June 10 and would gradually increase the tariffs until the “immigration problem is remedied.” The announcement has sparked concerns about the impact on both countries’ economies.
Ebrard stated that Mexico does not want a trade war, but is prepared to respond if the tariffs are implemented. He also mentioned the possibility of seeking international legal arbitration to resolve the dispute.
The Mexican government has been working to reduce the number of migrants reaching the U.S. border, including sending National Guard troops to its southern border and allowing more U.S. asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico while their claims are processed.
The escalating tensions come at a delicate time, as the United States, Mexico, and Canada are working to get the new trade agreement approved by their respective legislatures. The agreement, known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), would replace the current NAFTA deal.
Mexico’s Economy Minister Graciela Marquez said that the tariffs would be “counterproductive” and would only hurt businesses and consumers in both countries. She emphasized the need for dialogue and cooperation to address the root causes of migration.
Meanwhile, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador sent a letter to Trump urging him to seek a peaceful solution to the issue. He emphasized the importance of maintaining good relations between the two countries.
It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days, but both Mexico and the United States are bracing for a potential escalation in the trade dispute.