President Joe Biden has expressed hope that President-elect Donald Trump will reconsider his plan to impose tariffs on Mexico and Canada, warning that such actions could jeopardize the United States’ relationships with its closest neighbors.
“I hope he rethinks it. I think it’s a counterproductive thing to do,” Biden told reporters in Nantucket, Massachusetts, where he is spending the Thanksgiving holiday with his family. “We have an unusual situation in America—we’re surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and two allies: Mexico and Canada. And the last thing we need to do is begin to screw up those relationships.”
Earlier this week, Trump announced his intention to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico until they take stronger measures against drugs and migrants crossing into the United States. This move could potentially violate the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the free trade deal binding the three nations.
Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador stated on Thursday that he did not specifically discuss tariffs during his call with Trump on Wednesday. He added that both leaders agreed to maintain good relations between their countries. Following the call, Trump claimed that López Obrador had “agreed to stop migration through Mexico, and into the United States, effectively closing our Southern Border.” However, López Obrador clarified that he had outlined a strategy to address migrant issues before they reach the U.S. border.
Biden, who met with Trump at the White House earlier this month, emphasized his desire for a smooth transition between administrations. “And all the talk about what he’s going to do or not do, I think there may be a little bit of internal reckoning on his part,” Biden remarked.
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Biden says he hopes Trump rethinks tariffs on Mexico and Canada
cgtn.com
