Gimenez Backs Sweeping Tariffs Against Mexico

President-elect Donald Trump (R) has not been shy about his intention to implement tariffs against China, Canada, and Mexico. This week, he once again reiterated that he would be implementing aggressive tariffs against Mexico on "Day One," and this announcement has drawn a swift response from Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's president. Florida Rep. Carlos Giménez (R) backs the sweeping tariffs, applauding the "bold action" from the president.

In a video released on social media, the Florida lawmaker shared his approval of implementing aggressive tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico in order to curb the flow of illegal immigration and address the rising fentanyl crisis.

"I applaud President Trump's announcement of new tariffs on Mexico and Canada in order to stem the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States and also to stem the flow of fentanyl that's been killing tens of thousands of Americans for a number of years," he expressed. "Finally, somebody's taking some bold action.

President Trump suggested that he would impose a 25 percent tax on imported goods from Mexico if Mexico didn't stop the flow of drugs coming across the border. However, President Sheinbaum responded to the threat, saying that the tariffs could negatively impact U.S. automakers with plants that are on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

In a press conference, President Sheinbaum said, "We have always expressed Mexico's willingness to prevent the ongoing fentanyl epidemic in the United States, which is a problem of public health and consumption in your country's society." "One tariff would be followed by another in response, and so on until we put at risk common businesses," she added.

Rep. Giménez however believes that the country should be more aggressive with Mexico, adding that we should pressure the country to stop funding Cuba and its authoritarian regime.

"I would also like the president to add as one of his conditions that Mexico stop sending aid and oil to Cuba, propping up that murderous regime in Havana. The people of Cuba deserve liberty, freedom," he suggested in the video released on social media.