A Texas Democrat recently expressed that he believes President-elect Trump’s proposal to impose tariffs on Mexico could lead to productive discussions about immigration and the fentanyl crisis. Representative Henry Cuellar, who represents Texas’ 28th Congressional District along the Mexico border, shared his thoughts during an interview on NewsNation.
When asked if he would support a 25 percent tariff aimed at addressing border issues, Cuellar noted the significance of trade through Laredo, the largest port in the region, which accounts for 40 percent of U.S.-Mexico trade. He suggested that using tariffs could be a negotiating tool to bring Mexico to the table for discussions.
Cuellar acknowledged that such tariffs could provoke retaliation from Mexico, which is a concern, yet he believes this approach could ultimately encourage collaboration to resolve pressing issues like immigration and drug trafficking.
Trump has made it clear that upon taking office, he intends to implement tariffs on Mexico and Canada. He recently stated on Truth Social that the influx of people crossing the borders is contributing to rising crime and drug levels in the United States. Among his first actions as president, Trump plans to issue executive orders to apply a 25 percent tariff on all imports from Mexico and Canada, persisting until there is a significant reduction in illegal immigration and drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl.
He emphasized the responsibility of both Mexico and Canada to address these longstanding issues and warned them of the potential consequences if they do not act.
In light of these developments, discussions are ongoing regarding how these tariff measures will affect international relations and trade, with some apprehension about escalating tensions between the countries involved.
This approach reflects a strong stance on border security and aims to put pressure on neighboring countries to take more responsibility for the problems affecting the United States.
