Trump Tariff Threats Prompt Mexico to Discuss Expanded Immigration Enforcement

President-elect Donald Trump’s recent tariff threats to Mexico and Canada over illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking seem to have spurred both nations to attempt to negotiate and appease President Trump’s desires. 

Trump promised he would “sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States” until “such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reportedly called Trump immediately following his tariff announcement to discuss the issue. 

While Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum initially criticized Trump’s proposed tariffs and threatened to respond by levying tariffs on American exports to the US, she later called Trump to assure him of Mexico’s policies for combating unlawful migration and drug trafficking. 

President Sheinbaum claimed her conversation with Trump was “excellent.”

“We discussed Mexico’s strategy for illegal immigration and I shared that migrant caravans are not reaching the US border because they are being dealt with in Mexico,” added Sheinbaum. 

Trump also commented on his call with Sheinbaum via Truth Social. 

“Just had a wonderful conversation with the new President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo,” said Trump. “She has agreed to stop Migration through Mexico, and into the United States, effectively closing our Southern Border.”

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113557687421746022 

However, Sheinabum later contradicted Trump’s last claim, stating that, as she explained to Trump, Mexico is halting illegal immigration but that the Mexican strategy is “not to close borders but to build bridges between governments and peoples.”

Trump did not respond to Sheinbaum’s last comments. 

Earlier this week, Trump also pledged to expand tariffs on China for complaints similarly related to fentanyl. 

“I have had many talks with China about the massive amounts of drugs, in particular Fentanyl, being sent into the United States – But to no avail,” said Trump.

Consequently, Trump stated the US ”will be charging China an additional 10% Tariff, above any additional Tariffs, on all of their many products coming into the United States of America.”