Mexico tried, and failed.
After a day of what one assumes were intense talks between Mexican negotiators and Trump officials, there was no deal. 5% across-the-board tariffs on all imports from Mexico will go ahead on June 10, barring some kind of breakthrough in the next five days.
On Tuesday, Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said that if you ask him, the odds of a deal with Trump that averts the tariffs are about 80%. He and the Mexican delegation met Wednesday with Mike Pence and Bob Lighthizer. Mike Pompeo was there too, although it’s not entirely clear why.
Lighthizer, you’re reminded, was opposed to the tariffs and warned Trump that hitting Mexico with the same kind of duties the USMCA is designed to prevent, risks undermining the ratification process. In the end, Stephen Miller prevailed. Peter Navarro, meanwhile, was dispatched on Wednesday to try and explain to the public why the administration is increasingly prone to mixing up trade policy with national security.
Around 5 PM in Washington, talks between the Mexican delegation and US officials broke off with no deal. Trump immediately tweeted out his version of events, which is the only version that matters, because he’s now making decisions with no regard for anyone’s opinion other than Miller’s.
“Immigration discussions at the White House with representatives of Mexico have ended for the day”, Trump flatly stated, before shrieking that while “progress is being made” it’s “not nearly enough!”
Conveniently, Customs and Border Protection released the latest figures on border arrests on Wednesday, literally while the Mexican delegation was meeting with US officials. More than 132,000 people were apprehended crossing the border last month. That’s the highest monthly tally since 2006.
“Our nation is experiencing an unprecedented border security and humanitarian crisis on the southwest border, both at and between our ports of entry”, CBP executive director for operations Randy Howe said. “We are bursting at the seams”.
Trump of course cited that figure on Wednesday evening without even the slightest hint that he understands the burgeoning crisis is of his own making. It is obviously not a coincidence that this is getting progressively worse under his administration, but he continues to blame other people. “Border arrests for May are at 133,000 because of Mexico and the Democrats in Congress refusing to budge on immigration reform”, he said, in the same series of tweets.
Ebrard held a fatalistic press conference on Wednesday evening during which he attempted to explain what went on during the discussions. “The meeting focus was on Mexico’s migration proposals”, he said, adding that there was no dialogue around the tariffs. Neither side rejected the other’s positions, he claimed. That seems starkly at odds with Trump’s assessment, though.
There will be another round of talks tomorrow and Ebrard expressed optimism, saying he wanted to “prevent tariffs for both economies.” On Wednesday, there were reports that the Mexican government has drawn up a list of products to target in retaliation if Trump does in fact move ahead with the tariffs as planned.
Trump wrapped things up on Wednesday evening by making a threat, as he’s wont to do.
“Talks with Mexico will resume tomorrow with the understanding that, if no agreement is reached, Tariffs at the 5% level will begin on Monday, with monthly increases as per schedule”, he insisted.
That may sound bad, but he needs you to remember that “The higher the Tariffs go, the higher the number of companies that will move back to the USA!”
Just don’t tell that to Foxconn.
