Mexico's president on Trump threat: 'One tariff would be followed by another in response'

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced her own plan for the United States after President-elect Donald Trump suggested imposing a 25% tax on Mexican imports if Mexico does not stop the flow of drugs across the border. threatened to retaliate with tariffs.

In remarks Tuesday, Sheinbaum said drugs are a U.S. problem, not a Mexican one, and suggested it could harm U.S. automakers with factories on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. .

“One tariff will be followed by another, and this will continue until it puts ordinary businesses at risk,” Sheinbaum said.

“This is unacceptable and will cause inflation and job losses in Mexico and the United States,” Sheinbaum added.

But Sheinbaum offered to discuss the issue with America's next president.

“Dialogue is the best path to achieving understanding, peace and prosperity between our two countries,” Sheinbaum said. “I hope to see our team soon.”

Scheinbaum also noted that Mexico is taking significant steps to stem the flow of migrants at the border, saying “caravans of migrants will no longer reach the border.”

President Trump announced Monday that he would impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian and Mexican products and an additional 10% tariff on all Chinese products. Many are already subject to tariffs imposed during President Trump's first term.

President Trump said the new tariffs are intended to strengthen border security and encourage stronger efforts from the three countries to crack down on fentanyl exports to the United States.

“Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to simply resolve this long-smoldering issue. We hereby demand that they use this power, and that they Until they do, it's time for them to pay a very high price!'' TrumpPosted on Truth Social.

During his campaign, President Trump pledged to impose import taxes of 10% to 20% on all foreign products and up to 60% tariffs on Chinese products. Canada, Mexico, and China are the United States' largest trading partners.

President Trump's threat came days after he announced that he would nominate financier Scott Bessent to be Treasury secretary. The selection will give Bessent a key role in implementing President Trump's trade policies and trying to calm markets amid the expected turmoil.

The Associated Press contributed.