Trump Warns Mexico of Doubled Tariffs Unless Migrant Caravan Is Stopped

United States President Donald Trump has warned Mexico that tariffs on its goods will be doubled immediately unless it stops a migrant caravan moving north through the country. The warning, posted on Thursday on his Truth Social platform, came as an estimated 1,500 migrants, most of them from Central America, walked north from the southern city of Tapachula near the Guatemala border. Trump said the group would not be allowed to enter the United States and told Mexico to stop it now.

FAKTA

• What happened: Trump warned on Thursday, 12 November, that US tariffs on Mexico would be doubled immediately if a migrant caravan is not stopped.
• The caravan: About 1,500 people, mostly from Central America, set off on Tuesday from Tapachula, near the Guatemala border.
• Current tariffs: The US applies 25% tariffs on Mexican-made cars and 50% on steel and aluminium products.
• Mexico’s response: No immediate public response had been issued at the time of reporting.
• Background: It is the third caravan to attempt the journey north through Mexico since September.

Warning issued on social media

Trump linked the caravan to last week’s midterm elections in the United States, writing that large groups were forming and beginning what he described as an illegal march through Mexico. In his post, he said Mexico, the governor of Texas, the US Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement had been informed of the warning. He added that there would be no leniency. Reuters reported that the migrants set off hoping that the Democrats’ victory in the midterm elections could open pathways for them to live and work in the United States.

Trade stakes for both countries

Doubling the tariffs would sharply raise the cost of Mexican goods entering the United States, one of the world’s largest trading relationships. Mexico is among the top suppliers of cars, car parts, electronics and farm produce to the American market, and higher duties would be felt by businesses and consumers on both sides of the border. The White House has already imposed 25% tariffs on Mexican-made cars and 50% duties on steel and aluminium, measures that also apply to Canada. It remained unclear on Thursday whether Washington would formally introduce the threatened increase, and no timetable was given.

Caravan’s long road north

The group left Tapachula on Tuesday and faces a long journey north, travelling mostly on foot through Mexico before reaching the US border. It is the third caravan to attempt the journey through Mexico since September, according to reports. The migrants say they hope the outcome of last week’s US midterm elections will open pathways for them to live and work in the United States. For now, they continue walking north, while the tariff threat adds a new trade dimension to an already sensitive border debate.

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