Trump Threatens to Double Mexico Tariffs Over Migrant Caravan

President Donald Trump threatened on Thursday to immediately double tariffs on Mexico unless it stops migrant caravans heading north toward the United States, warning that the migrants “will not be accepted”. In a social media post, Trump wrote: “MEXICO MUST STOP THEM, NOW, and if they do not do so, the Tariffs on Mexico will be IMMEDIATELY DOUBLED... There will be no leniency!”

The warning follows a group of an estimated 1,500 people, mostly from Central America, who set off on Tuesday from the southern city of Tapachula, near Mexico’s border with Guatemala, hoping the Democrats’ midterm election victory could open new pathways to live and work in the United States. Trump said he had informed Mexico, the governor of Texas, the Border Patrol and immigration enforcement officials.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded on Thursday that no migrant caravan has reached the United States border since Trump returned to office, saying Mexican authorities were informing migrants of how difficult entry would be and offering them options, including returning home. She said one group in Chiapas had dwindled from about 600 people to fewer than 100, and she ruled out using force against the marchers. Trump did not specify which tariffs he would double, what the new rates would be, or when any increase would take effect, and no formal order had been confirmed. The threat comes as the two countries negotiate tariff reductions, with Mexico seeking cuts to duties on steel, aluminium and vehicles.