President Trump announced huge consequences for Mexico. Now the southern neighbor is kissing his ring.
Because Mexico’s President has bent the knee to Donald Trump on this critical demand.
Trump Delays Tariffs on Mexico After Border Security Agreement
President Donald Trump agreed to delay the imposition of sweeping tariffs on Mexican imports for one month, following a commitment from Mexican leader Claudia Sheinbaum. Sheinbaum pledged to deploy 10,000 troops to the southern border to assist the U.S. in combating illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking. This agreement came just days after Trump signed an executive order, which included a 25 percent tariff on goods imported from Mexico and Canada, as well as a 10 percent tariff on products from China.
The announcement was made on a Monday morning, just hours before the tariffs were set to take effect. Trump had engaged in discussions with both Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, with both leaders vowing retaliatory measures against the U.S. tariffs. While there was no immediate resolution with Canada, Trudeau had confirmed on Saturday that Canada would begin imposing 25 percent tariffs on U.S. goods as a countermeasure.
Trump’s decision to pause the tariffs for one month was intended to allow time for further negotiations, which would be led by key members of his administration. “We further agreed to immediately pause the anticipated tariffs for a one month period during which we will have negotiations headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and high-level Representatives of Mexico,” Trump shared in a post on Truth Social. He added, “I look forward to participating in those negotiations, with President Sheinbaum, as we attempt to achieve a ‘deal’ between our two Countries.”
While no agreement had been reached with Canada by Monday morning, Trump’s negotiations with Mexico were seen as a key part of his broader efforts to secure cooperation from neighboring countries in addressing illegal immigration and the rising flow of fentanyl into the U.S.
BREAKING: Mexico has agreed to deploy 10,000 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border in exchange for a one-month delay on President Donald Trump's threatened tariffs. pic.twitter.com/mPmnaNXHMB
— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 3, 2025
The Role of Tariffs in Enhancing U.S. Global Competitiveness
The use of tariffs, particularly as a negotiating tool, has been a central element of U.S. trade policy under President Trump. While tariffs are often viewed critically due to their potential to increase costs for consumers and disrupt trade relations, they can serve important strategic functions, especially when it comes to ensuring fair competition in global markets.
In the case of countries like China, which have been accused of exploiting labor and environmental standards, tariffs can be a necessary mechanism to protect American workers and industries. China’s practices, such as manipulating labor costs through low wages and poor working conditions, can give its products an unfair competitive edge. Tariffs are one way to counteract this imbalance by leveling the playing field for U.S. businesses that are required to meet higher labor and environmental standards.
Furthermore, tariffs can help incentivize other countries to reform their practices. By imposing tariffs on goods from nations that engage in unfair trade practices, the U.S. can encourage those countries to adhere to more equitable standards and practices that align with international labor rights and environmental protections. This can foster a more balanced and sustainable global trade environment.
While tariffs may lead to temporary disruptions in the supply chain, they also serve as a reminder that fair trade policies are essential for the long-term health of the U.S. economy. By imposing targeted tariffs, the U.S. can signal its commitment to addressing unfair trade practices, and in the process, push for a more balanced and competitive global marketplace.
Some principled free-trade advocates are willing to concede that the reality is nations like China and Mexico are getting away with borderline human rights violations with their abuse of laborers. China, in particular, has been under fire for years now with the way they employ laborers for next to no money and with the worst working conditions in any developed nation. Thus, the “free market” principles don’t apply so easily anymore. If totalitarian nations are benefitting from slave labor, the U.S. has to respond to that whether or not the “free trade” purists like it.
Nobody applies leverage like Trump. Nobody.
I am an advocate of free trade on a principled level when it doesn't threaten key national industries and national security (which is why we should tariff China). In a vacuum, trade wars are not good or easy to win.
BUT Trump saying…
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) February 3, 2025
The Conservative Column will keep you informed on any updates from the Trump administration.
