Suddenly, Tariffs on Mexico Aren't Such a Sure Thing

Trump says there's a 'good chance' of a deal before deadline of Monday
By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 7, 2019 1:10 PM CDT
Suddenly, Tariffs on Mexico Aren't Such a Sure Thing
In this 2018 photo released by Fin and Fur Films, a group of filmmakers and wildlife photographers cycle along the border wall near the U.S.-Mexico border south of Big Bend National Park, Texas.   (Fin and Fur Films via AP)

The tariffs scheduled to go into effect Monday against Mexico aren't looking like such a sure thing anymore. President Trump himself suggested as much on Twitter Friday, writing that there was a "good chance" of a deal before the looming deadline, reports USA Today. The tweet came as US and Mexican negotiators met for a third straight day. However, "if we are unable to make the deal, Mexico will begin paying Tariffs at the 5% level on Monday!" the president added. His comments came after press chief Sarah Sanders told reporters Friday morning that while talks had made progress, "our position hasn't changed" and "tariffs are going to take effect Monday," per the Hill.

The Washington Post also reports on new wiggle room, quoting a senior White House official who says Trump could call off the tariffs over the weekend. “There’s a long way to go still, that’s the bottom line,” says Marc Short, chief of staff to Vice President Pence. “But I think that there is the ability, if negotiations continue to go well, that the president can turn that off at some point over the weekend." Trump wants Mexico to crack down on Latin American immigrants who travel through Mexico to reach the US border. One key point is that the US wants Mexico to sign a "safe third country" treaty, which essentially means that immigrants who enter Mexico from elsewhere would have to stay there, rather than heading to the US to apply for benefits. (More Mexico stories.)

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