Mexico City, May 31: Mexico has on Thursday vowed to give an “energetic response” to United States President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 5 percent tariffs hikes on the Mexican goods.
Mexico’s deputy foreign minister Jesus Seade was quoted by Sputnik as telling reporters: “It would be catastrophic if Trump lived up to his threat of introducing tariffs over immigration. That is why Mexico will not sit on its hands until June 10. If it happens, we will have to provide an energetic response.”
According to ANI news reports, the deputy FM further designated the US president’s tariff hike decision as an “ice cold shower”.
Mexico’s statement comes in retaliation to Trump’s unveiling his plan of levying tariffs on the goods exporting from Mexico if the nation does not step up enforcement action and halt the illegal immigration at the southern border.
According to the American trade representative office, the Mexican goods exported to the US include agriculture products, machinery, and cars, which accumulated to approximately USD 346.5 billion in last year.
CNN quoted Trump in a White House statement as saying the first round of US tariffs would kick off on June 10 at five percent over “all goods imported from Mexic”.
The US president further cautioned if Mexico didn’t adhere to Trump’s demand then the US tariffs would rise up to 10 percent of Mexico good imports by July, up to 15 percent by August, 20 percent by September and would reach 25 percent by October.
On Thursday, the US president has stated a “major statement” was forthcoming over illegal immigration into the US from the southern border.