Trump Threatens to Double Mexico Tariffs: Trade Impact and Next Steps
President Donald Trump threatened to immediately double tariffs on Mexico unless it stops a migrant caravan of about 1,500 people heading for the US border.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / The White House
WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 — President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to immediately double tariffs on Mexico unless it stops a migrant caravan heading toward the United States, using trade penalties as leverage over border enforcement in a post on his Truth Social platform.
Trump wrote that large caravans were forming and beginning what he called an illegal march through Mexico, and warned the migrants would not be accepted. “MEXICO MUST STOP THEM, NOW, and if they do not do so, the Tariffs on Mexico will be IMMEDIATELY DOUBLED,” he wrote. Mexico, the Texas governor, the Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement had been informed, he said.
Key Takeaways
- Trump threatened to immediately double tariffs on Mexico unless it halts a caravan of about 1,500 migrants bound for the US border.
- The group, mostly from Central America, left Tapachula, near the Guatemala border, on Tuesday.
- The post set no deadline and did not say which tariff rates would be doubled.
- Mexico had not responded publicly by Thursday morning, and a Supreme Court ruling this year may limit Trump’s power to double the levies.
What Trump Said About Doubling Tariffs on Mexico
Trump opened the post with “Here we go again!” and said the caravans were forming after the Democrats’ victory in last week’s midterm elections. The group described in the reports is about 1,500 people, mostly from Central America, who left Tapachula on Tuesday hoping to live and work in the United States. The post did not name the countries the migrants were travelling from or give details of any other caravans.
The president said the migrants would not be allowed to enter the United States. The warning landed while the United States and Mexico are negotiating a trade deal, and Trump chose in July not to extend the US-Mexico-Canada trade pact, leaving the trading relationship open.
How the Mexico Tariff Threat Affects US Trade and Consumers
Mexico is among the United States’ largest trading partners, and doubling tariffs would raise the cost of goods crossing the southern border, from cars and electronics to fresh produce. Tariffs are taxes paid by importers, and higher rates are often passed on to businesses and shoppers as higher prices. The threat adds pressure to the trade talks under way, and follows earlier pauses on higher tariffs in other disputes.
Whether Trump can carry out the threat is an open question. Bloomberg reported it is uncertain whether he can lawfully double the levies, given a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that limited his tariff powers. The post did not say which tariffs would be doubled or how soon Mexico must act.
What Happens Next With the Migrant Caravan and Mexico’s Response
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was due to hold a news conference on Thursday morning, and officials in Mexico City had not issued a public response by then. The caravan’s route runs north through Mexico toward Texas, and it was still far from the US border when Trump posted. The group is small next to the flows seen at the peak of border crossings in recent years.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Caravan size | About 1,500 people, mostly from Central America |
| Departed | Tuesday, Nov. 10, Tapachula, near Guatemala border |
| Trump’s demand | Mexico must stop the caravans now |
| Threat | Tariffs on Mexico “immediately doubled” |
| Deadline given | None stated |
| Mexico’s response | None publicly by Thursday morning |
| Legal question | Supreme Court ruling limited tariff powers |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Trump double tariffs on Mexico?
He threatened to do so immediately if Mexico does not stop the caravans, but he gave no deadline and did not say which rates would double.
How many migrants are in the caravan heading to the US?
About 1,500 people, mostly from Central America. The group left Tapachula, near the Guatemala border, on Tuesday and was heading north through Mexico toward Texas.
Can Trump legally double tariffs on Mexico?
That is unresolved. Bloomberg reported it is uncertain whether the president can lawfully double the levies, given a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that limited his tariff powers.
What has Mexico said about Trump’s tariff threat?
None as of Thursday morning. President Claudia Sheinbaum was due to hold a news conference on Thursday.
Sheinbaum’s news conference and the caravan’s progress in the coming days will show whether the threat turns into action.
