A Texas Democrat believes President-elect Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Mexico will get the country to come to the table “so we can solve the problem about immigration and fentanyl.”
Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas’ 28th Congressional District – which borders Mexico in the southern part of the state – made the comment Tuesday during an interview on NewsNation.
“If it means a 25 percent tariff to potentially fix the border, would you favor that?” Cuellar was asked.
“Well, let me put it this way: Laredo’s the largest port; we handle 40 percent of all the trade between the U.S. and Mexico. I know this is a way to negotiate, get some leverage. I know that Mexico will come to the table,” he responded.
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President-elect Donald Trump, left, and Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas. (AP/Allison Robbert/Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“But nobody wants a 25 percent tariff on them, and the Mexicans are threatening to do the same thing, and we don’t want to get into that,” Cuellar added. “But I think this will definitely get Mexico to the table so we can solve the problem about immigration and fentanyl.”
Trump has vowed to impose tariffs on Mexico when he returns to the White House in January.
“As everyone is aware, thousands of people are pouring through Mexico and Canada, bringing Crime and Drugs at levels never seen before,” Trump wrote Monday on Truth Social. “Right now a Caravan coming from Mexico, composed of thousands of people, seems to be unstoppable in its quest to come through our currently Open Border.”
“On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders. This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!” Trump continued.
“Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem,” he declared. “We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!”
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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum gives a media briefing from the National Palace in Mexico City on Oct. 2. (AP/Fernando Llano)
A source told Reuters that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had a “good discussion” with Trump regarding trade and border security following that Truth Social post.
Trump also said Monday, “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.”
“Until such time as they stop, we 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,” he added.
In response to that, the China Daily newspaper – which is run by the Chinese Communist Party – published an editorial Tuesday saying, “The excuse the president-elect has given to justify his threat of additional tariffs on imports from China is far-fetched,” according to Reuters.
Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, right, arrives for a meeting of House Democrats on Capitol Hill on Nov. 19. (AP/Mark Schiefelbein)
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The editorial added: “There are no winners in tariff wars. If the U.S. continues to politicize economic and trade issues by weaponizing tariffs, it will leave no party unscathed,”
