President Trump vowed Thursday to double all current US tariffs on Mexico if the country allows a caravan of more than 1,000 migrants to reach the southern border. His warning placed direct economic pressure on Mexico to stop the group before it reaches the United States, as reported [1] by The New York Post.
Trump delivered the ultimatum in a lengthy Truth Social post as the caravan traveled north through Mexico. The president connected the renewed migrant movement to the Republicans’ perceived losses in the midterm elections, though he stressed that he was not on the ballot.
“Here we go again!” Trump wrote. “With the perceived loss by the Republicans in the Midterms – I WAS NOT ON THE BALLOT- the INVASION of our Country is taking place again.”
Trump said large caravans were again forming and beginning what he described as an illegal march through Mexico. He also argued that some of the migrants came from countries that did not want them.
“Huge CARAVANS are forming and beginning their illegal march through Mexico. Many of the people in these Caravans are those that various countries don’t want – “Send them to America,” they say – But they will not be accepted!” Trump wrote.
The president then turned his attention squarely toward Mexico, demanding immediate action. His tariff threat was not limited to a particular Mexican industry or product, but covered all current US tariffs on the country.
“MEXICO MUST STOP THEM, NOW, and if they do not do so, the Tariffs on Mexico will be IMMEDIATELY DOUBLED,” Trump said. He added, “MEXICO, THE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS, THE VERY LIBERAL NEW GOVERNOR OF TEXAS, OUR GREAT BORDER PATROL, & ICE, HAVE BEEN SO INFORMED. There will be no leniency!”
The group began its journey Tuesday from Tapachula, a city in southern Mexico near the Guatemala border. More than 1,000 migrants were traveling with the caravan as Trump issued his warning.
Some migrants confirmed that they were motivated by the prospect of looser US immigration policy after Democrats swept to power on Capitol Hill the previous week. Their comments showed that the American election results had become part of their calculations about attempting to enter the United States.
Cesar Sandoval, a 47-year-old Nicaraguan, told AFP that he hoped to have “another chance” to enter the United States. He also pointed to the newly elected Democrats and the support they received from Hispanic and Latino families.
“We hope they remember that the ones who gave them the vote so they could make it to the Senate and Congress were the sons of Hispanics, the sons of Latinos,” Sandoval said.
Another migrant, Cristian Pablo, 38, of Guatemala, invoked his faith as the group continued its journey. “God is coming with us on this journey,” he said.
Pablo also explained why he was traveling toward the United States. “The United States offers better opportunities than Guatemala,” he said.
The caravan is the third group to attempt to cross Mexico since September. Mexican authorities broke up the other two caravans and granted their members temporary stay permits.
The latest caravan emerged as the United States, Mexico and Canada were already engaged in talks concerning trade. The three countries began negotiations over the summer on revising a free trade agreement negotiated during Trump’s first term.
The White House has imposed 25% national security tariffs on automobiles made in Mexico. It has also placed 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum products coming from south of the border.
Those duties also apply to Canada. Trump’s latest warning, however, specifically targeted Mexico and threatened to double the existing tariff rates if the caravan is permitted to reach the US border.
The message was unmistakable: Mexico must stop the migrants, or face higher trade penalties from Washington. Trump also made clear that Mexico, Texas officials, Border Patrol, and ICE had been informed, while promising there would be “no leniency!”