US to add tariffs on Mexican imports US President Donald Trump says his government will add a 5-percent tariff on all Mexican imports on June 10. He says the country hasn't done enough to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the United States.
Trump said in a statement on Thursday that the tariff will increase by 5-percent a month if the situation doesn't improve, reaching a ceiling of 25 percent on October 1.
US border authorities say they detained more than 300,000 illegal migrants between January and April this year. The figure is double that for the same period last year. Many of the people are fleeing violence and poverty in the central American countries of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.
Trump says Mexico will pay a significant price if it does not take decisive measures. Trump also said he's imposing the tariff based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. But the rare move will likely spark controversy, as it is effectively a punitive measure against Mexico over the border crisis.
On Thursday, media in Mexico quoted a senior Mexican foreign ministry official as saying that they will take firm action, as the US move would be disastrous for the economy.
NHK
