Washington/Beijing: Despite pushback from US business, Mexico and Capitol Hill, President Donald Trump is doubling down on his threat to slap a 5 per cent tariff on Mexican imports unless America’s southern neighbour cracks down on Central American migrants trying to cross the border.
US manufacturers said the tariff, set to take effect June 10, would have devastating consequences on them and American consumers. US stocks tumbled on Wall Street in response to Trump’s planned action.
“Imposing tariffs on goods from Mexico is exactly the wrong move,” said Neil Bradley, executive vice president of the US Chamber of Commerce, which is exploring legal action in response to the tariffs.
“These tariffs will be paid by American families and businesses without doing a thing to solve the very real problems at the border. Instead, Congress and the president need to work together to address the serious problems at the border.” Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador dispatched his foreign secretary to Washington to try to negotiate a solution.
He said social problems are not solved with coercive measures, but also seemed convinced that Trump just needed to be informed about Mexico’s steps to slow illegal migration.
Mexico has stepped up raids on migrant caravans traveling through the southern states of Chiapas and Oaxaca this year. It has deported thousands of migrants and frustrated thousands who wait endlessly for permits that would allow them to travel legally.
Meanwhile, China on Saturday raised tariffs to maximum 25 per cent on USD 60 billion worth of US products, in retaliation to the US raising punitive tariffs on USD 200 billion worth of Chinese goods. (Agencies)
