Leave it to the Associated Press to try to throw cold water on a major policy move by the Trump administration.
Instead of announcing the news straight of Trump socking Mexico with a stepladder tariff in order to pressure that country to stop the influx of illegal immigrants, the AP reporters started the story by saying the tariff “could compromise a major trade deal” — the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement that would replace the North American Free Trade Agreement.
The reporters — Jill Colvin and Colleen Long — did not talk to anyone about the impact on the trade deal; all they had was their own opinion — and a desire to deflate any good news involving Trump.
Sorry, ladies; you are going to have to do better than that to detract from one of the best policy decisions ever announced by President Trump. As reported by the AP:
Trump made the announcement by tweet after telling reporters earlier Thursday that he was planning “a major statement” that would be his “biggest” so far on the border.
“On June 10th, the United States will impose a 5% Tariff on all goods coming into our Country from Mexico, until such time as illegal migrants coming through Mexico, and into our Country, STOP. The Tariff will gradually increase until the Illegal Immigration problem is remedied,” he wrote, “at which time the Tariffs will be removed.”
A subsequent White House statement explained that Trump would be using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to implement the tariff, which would rise rapidly from the starting point of 5 percent.
“If the illegal migration crisis is alleviated through effective actions taken by Mexico, to be determined in our sole discretion and judgment, the Tariffs will be removed,” the White House said in a statement. But if Trump is not satisfied, the 5% figure will increase to 10% on July 1, to 15% on Aug. 1, to 20% on Sept. 1 and to 25% on Oct. 1, the White House said.
“Tariffs will permanently remain at the 25 percent level unless and until Mexico substantially stops the illegal inflow of aliens coming through its territory,” the statement read.
This is just tremendous news, and unlike the trade deal or immigration restrictions, it doesn’t take an act of Congress. Great job, Mr. President!
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