Donald Trump warned Mexico that he would immediately double trade tariffs if its authorities did not stop a caravan of more than 1,000 migrants heading toward the United States border.
The US president issued the warning in a social media post on Thursday. He urged the Mexican government to act without delay and made clear that there would be no tariff relief if the caravan was not stopped, Reuters reports.
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The caravan set off on Tuesday from Tapachula, a city in southern Mexico near the border with Guatemala. About 1,500 people, mostly from Central America, are traveling north in the hope of entering the US and building a better life.
Some believe recent political developments in the United States, including the Democrats’ victory in the midterm elections, could open up new opportunities for them to live and work there.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that authorities know where the caravan is and are managing the situation without using repressive measures. She said the migrants had been informed about the difficulties of entering the US, while the government is trying to facilitate their return to their countries of origin.
Sheinbaum added that since Trump returned to the White House last year, no migrant caravans have reached the US border. Meanwhile, according to some local media outlets, authorities in the state of Chiapas have prevented other migrants from joining the group.
Following Trump’s post, US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the administration would deploy all available resources to protect the borders. He said the caravan, which he described as illegal, would not be allowed to enter the US.
The tariff warning comes as Washington and Mexico City negotiate a new trade deal, after Trump decided not to extend the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.
The Trump administration’s tough measures on immigration have significantly reduced the number of people heading toward the US southern border. As a result, many reception centers in Mexico have been left empty.
