U. S. and Mexican negotiators resumed migration talks on Friday as the two sides edged closer to a trade war that could hobble both countries
WASHINGTON/MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – U. S. and Mexican negotiators resumed migration talks on Friday as the two sides edged closer to a trade war that could hobble both countries’ economies and rattle investors already nervous about Washington’s escalating battle with China.
U. S. President Donald Trump has warned that tariffs of 5% will be imposed on all Mexican exports to the United States on Monday if Mexico does not step up efforts to stem an increase in mostly Central American migrants heading for the U. S. border.
“As negotiations continued yesterday, we were more encouraged that they came forward with some of the things we put on the table Wednesday to say they were open to that,” Marc Short, chief of staff to U. S. Vice President Mike Pence, told reporters outside the White House.
Short added that the Trump administration planned to move forward with a legal notification of its planned 5% tariff on Mexican goods. “You should anticipate that happening today,” he said.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said while the meetings had gone well, “we’re still on track for tariffs on Monday.”
Trump, who has railed against what he describes as a surge of migrants across the U. S.-Mexico border, will have the final say over any deal, Pence said on Thursday. Pence also said progress had been made in the talks but gave no specifics.
