‘We are moving forward’: Mexico begins talks with US over Donald Trump’s tariff threats
- Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard says he spoke to Jared Kushner and Mike Pompeo by phone, and that there was a willingness to resolve the dispute
- Face-to-face discussions will take place in Washington on Wednesday
Mexico’s Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said he started negotiating with officials in Washington on Friday after US President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on imports of Mexican products, but that face-to-face talks will not happen until next week.
Ebrard said on Twitter that he had spoken to senior White House adviser Jared Kushner and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo by phone, and that there was a willingness to resolve the dispute.
“The negotiations have started,” Ebrard said before boarding a plane to Washington. “I heard interest and respect about the letter from President [Andres Manuel] Lopez Obrador. We are moving forward.”
However, Ebrard said in-person talks would not take place until Wednesday in Washington, and that Pompeo would lead the US delegation. Ebrard will be accompanied by deputy foreign minister for North America, Jesus Seade, a veteran trade negotiator.
On Thursday, Trump said the US would impose 5 per cent American duties on all Mexican imports on June 10, rising in increments to 25 per cent in October unless Mexico halts “illegal migrants” heading to the US.
Mexican President Lopez Obrador said on Friday day that he would respond with “great prudence” to the US president’s threat.
Trump has accused Mexico of not doing enough to stop the flow of illegal immigration from Central America to the United States but Lopez Obrador said his migration policy was already producing results.
