Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said Monday that Mexico would impose retaliatory tariffs on imports from the United States if the incoming Trump administration slaps tariffs on Mexican exports.
“If you put a 25% tariff on me, I’ll have to react with tariffs and I’m your main importer, together with Canada,” he said in an interview with Radio Fórmula.
ENTREVISTA Marcelo Ebrard (@m_ebrard) saca su ‘as bajo la manga’ ante amenazas comerciales de Trump: “Si nos ponen aranceles, vamos a poner aranceles, y eso tendrá un costo muy grande para su economía; somos su principal socio comercial”. #FórmulaNoticias con @lopezdoriga pic.twitter.com/Rn5FasUxJd
— Grupo Fórmula (@Radio_Formula) November 11, 2024
“… And what does that lead you to? A gigantic cost for the North American economy,” Ebrard said.
His remarks came a week after Donald Trump pledged to “immediately” impose a 25% tariff on all Mexican exports to the United States if the government of Mexico doesn’t stop what he called an “onslaught” of criminals and drugs to the U.S.
Ebrard pointed out that Mexico is the United States’ top trade partner, and declared that the “first impact” of imposing tariffs on Mexican imports would be to “increase inflation” in the U.S.
He highlighted that Mexico exports a wide range of products to the United States and therefore tariffs wouldn’t just affect products made by the Mexican automotive industry but those produced by “many other” sectors as well.
Ebrard said that 25% tariffs on Mexican exports would cause prices in the United States to increase the day after they are imposed.
“I’m not talking about the medium term,” he said.
“This is an important limitation that has to be considered because we’re the No. 1 [trade] partner,” Ebrard said.
Mexico’s exports to the United States in the first nine months of 2024 were worth almost US $379 billion, while U.S. exports to Mexico totaled $253.4 billion.
Trade between Mexico and the United States — which have tariff-free access to each other’s markets under the terms of the USMCA — accounted for a record-high 15.9% share of total U.S. trade between January and September.
Ebrard said that not even Trump’s “main promoters” would agree with imposing tariffs that would have such a large impact on the U.S. economy and consumers.
“That doesn’t mean that he can’t put them on the table, but structurally we have conditions to play in Mexico’s favor,” he said.
Will history repeat itself?
In 2019, during his first term as United States president, Trump threatened to impose an initial 5% tariff on all goods from Mexico if the Mexican government didn’t do more to stem migration to the United States.
The two countries subsequently reached a deal that averted the blanket tariffs and resulted in Mexico deploying federal security force members to both its southern and northern border.
At a 2022 rally in Ohio for then U.S. Senate hopeful and now vice president-elect J.D. Vance, Trump asserted that he succeeded in pressuring Mexico to act in the United States’ interests.
He said he told Ebrard, foreign affairs minister at the time, that the U.S. would impose a 25% tariff on all Mexican exports if Mexico didn’t agree to what he wanted.
“And he looked at me and said, ‘Sir, it would be an honor to have 28,000 soldiers on the border, it would be an honor to have Stay in Fricking Mexico,’ Trump said, referring to the United States policy that required migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. to remain in Mexico until their U.S. immigration court appearance.
“… I’ve never seen anybody fold like that; they said it would be an honor to have 28,000 free soldiers, and for two years we did, and that’s one of the reasons we had the best numbers in the history of the border. Thank you very much, Mexico,” he said.
Trump appears determined to exert the same sort of pressure on Mexico during his second term as U.S. president, saying the day before the U.S. presidential election that he would inform President Claudia Sheinbaum of his 25% tariff plan “on day one or sooner.”
He said his plan has “a 100% chance of working” because if the 25% tariff threat “doesn’t work,” he’ll increase it to 50%, 75% or even 100%.
Tonatiuh Guillén, head of Mexico’s National Immigration Institute (INM) for the first six months of former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s six-year term, told The New York Times last week that what Trump is proposing now is a new version of “the same increased pressures on Mexico.”
“Mexico gave in to the pressures back then, and the question is whether Mexico will give in again. I think the likelihood it will is high,” he said.
Trump has also threatened to impose hefty tariffs on all vehicles made in Mexico, a move aimed at protecting the United States auto industry and dissuading Chinese automakers from attempting to enter the U.S. market via Mexico.
It remains to be seen whether he will follow through with his tariff threats, but they were a central part of his campaign rhetoric, and in his victory speech the president-elect said he would “govern by a simple motto: promises made, promises kept.”
The New York Times reported Tuesday that the consequences of U.S. tariffs on Mexico’s auto industry “would be profound, affecting the price in the United States of popular models like Ford Maverick pickups, Chevrolet Equinox sport-utility vehicles and several variations of Ram trucks.”
The Times also said the proposed tariffs “could severely disrupt suppliers” and “might also be a setback for the already slowing electric vehicle business.”
With reports from El Economista, El Financiero and Animal Político
“And he looked at me and said, ‘Sir, it would be an honor to have 28,000 soldiers on the border, it would be an honor to have Stay in Fricking Mexico,’ Trump said, referring to the United States policy that required migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. to remain in Mexico until their U.S. immigration court appearance.”
We all know that anytime the fat Felon uses the word “sir” in an alleged quote, that it’s a big fat lie. Good lord.
Stop the hate. TDS is no longer cool.
Stop the hate. Limousine libs driving around in their bubble looking down on the working class folks that can’t afford to pay their bills isn’t cool anymore.
ridiculous.
Americans who live, work or own property in Mexico don’t want to hear this divisive BS
Good response from Mr. Ebrard. Grade school epithets and bullying tactics from Trump will backfire as they usually do.
The only way to defeat a bully is to stand up to him. Ebrard understands that. Too bad Drumpf doesn’t understand economics. He apparently skipped class that day.
C’mon….Knock it Off! Drumpff had HIS OWN UNIVERSITY….I’m jus sayin…..from Acapulco!
His university in San Diego went down in flames.
Trump has econ degree from U Penn
Hummmmmm. I wonder if His Royal Majesty Trump knows that Elon Musk, his new very best friend, is building a mega Tesla factory down here? And Ford Motors is expanding its established parts factory here to build it’s first all electric SUV or other vehicle? Or that many other U.S. firms are making a variety things to export to U.S. matkets?
Or that many international friends and allies are building factories in Mexico to near-shore to North American markets to avoid future shipping obstacles created by closed/quarantined ports of entry due to COVID-19?
Or that Mexico is the U.S. greatest trading partner?
But this is what the American voters say they want when they voted for Trump. It would have been very helpful if they took some time to actually know in advance what they’re getting into. And nit just listening to their favorite Interent news sources who feed into their biases.
As Gene Wilder said to Cleavon Little in “Blazing Saddles,” You must understand that these are simple folk, the salt of the Earth, the common clay……Morons! Cheers from Acapulco!
The majority already answered your question. Trumps USMCA has already benefited all of North America and will unite our countries. Name calling and hatred isn’t the answer.
Funny. This tarriff dialog is about Illegal Immigration and US manufacturing jobs.
Right! And I would add cartels/drugs.
So let’s see. Mexico’s trade and other balance not counting tourism with the U.S. exceeds two to three hundred billion per year in Mexico’s favor.
See if you can figure out who holds the high cards in any tariff battle.
All of this is driven by Mexico’s failure to control its side of the border. Period. Not only has this soured relations between our two countries it is feeding the cartel human trafficking rings to the tune of many billions per year, billions which are then used to corrupt and poison Mexico’s own governments and people.
Mexico and some of you had better get a clue here. Real soon. The number one issue that put Trump in office was that Democrat open border and Mexico’s complicity in it. Those days are over. Put the Mexican army on the border, take the illegals off those trains and buses and send them back to where they came from and watch all of this go away. Or not.
Your choice.
This guy gets it. AMLO & Biden did nothing to curb immigration or the cartels. When Trump wins the Latino voters, it speaks to how even LEGAL immigrants are fed up with the way things are. Obama, according to the NY Times, deported 3 million people. More than Trump 1.0 or Biden. If Trump 2.0 deports even 3-4 million, it’s not the end of the world for Mexico. Rather than taunt Trump, it might be best to prepare for meetings and have a plan for what Mexico will do to curb immigration and cartels. That’s all Trump, and Americans, want. If you stand tough and try to “beat” Trump, you will lose. The guy has 34 felony convictions and still, by an overwhelming amount, won the Presidency. Mexico may be corrupt, but Trump is mafia level untouchable.
That’s actually 34 felony charges (pending sentencing)he has yet to be convicted and odds are he never will be. No more weaponization of the judicial system.
I think Mexico has much better control of refugees crossing its border into the EEUU than the EEUU has of a whole new wave of Gringo soon to be expats going the other way. Wait until the chaos of the fat orange man’s campaign becomes the behavioral norm of the EEUU’s federal government. Mexico will get the last laugh!
TDS isn’t cool anymore. Stop the hate.
Funny, the Mexican regime would fight Mr Trump instead of fighting the Mexican cartels , we’ll , not funny at all , good luck trying to defeat President Elect Trump !!
Just a couple things to remember. Trump won the popular vote. The first time a Republican has done so in 2 decades. He won not just with the MAGA idiots who spew hate and vitriol. He won with f’n Latino voters (??WTF??), black voters, women, men, college educated, etc. It’s hard to comprehend how bigly he won when most people understand and know who he is and what he stands for. People need to understand that Trump is not a smart or rational man. He filed bankruptcy 6 times. He doesn’t care what his actions cost Americans. The other thing I keep hearing is how Mexico is the #1 trade partner to the US. While true, it has only been since 2023 that it has been the case.
The “people” have spoken, and the vast majority of them are angry, pissed off, slightly or altogether racist, and have validated the policies Trump ran on. His first few appointments should tip people off to what his intentions are. Musk has delayed, indefinitely, his plans to build in Mexico. He went all in on the Trump campaign, and is looking at having a major role in Trump’s Presidency. Ask yourself why a man who’s primary business is electric vehicles joined with the Party that wants to eliminate EV incentives and roll back all environmental goals currently in place… Do you think maybe they have a plan to screw Ford and the other competitive automotive companies; Nissan, Ford, Stellantis, Toyota, GM, KIA, Audi, Honda, the VW Group, Infinity, Lincoln, and numerous parts suppliers that already are located in Mexico. Hmmm.
Again, this is a “businessman” who filed 6 bankruptcies, had his charity disassembled, was sued for his fake university, failed in his wine co., steaks co., and most everything he’s ever touched. He figured out how to get poor people to vote for a so called “rich” person, while calling rich people entitled evil destroyers of America. He’s a snake oil salesman, a corrupt shyster with no moral compass.
What would ever cause anyone to think he’s not planning to do exactly what he says he will? I don’t believe he will levy extreme tariffs, but he will certainly leverage tariffs to force Mexico into doing things he wants to see done. He’s got the House, the Senate, the Supreme Court, and an overwhelming portion of Americans behind him. All of whom are expecting him to do what he said he would. The more Mexico taunts him and “dares” him to do the things he’s said he would, the more he will “punish” Mexico, or more specifically, Mexican people. We’re not dealing with an intelligent, rational, or even mentally sound being.
Putofest Destiny!
Why can’t we have a like button on the comment section. This post deserves 1000👍
agreed
Sanctions are just a start. The US GIVES billions of dollars to Mexico all the time. All bark no bite.
From fiscal year 2014 to 2018, the State Department and USAID allocated approximately $723 million for the Mérida Initiative, a partnership to address crime and violence and enhance the rule of law in Mexico.
In 2015, Mexico received $338 million in aid, broadly classified as economic development and military assistance.
Between 2008 and 2024, the United States appropriated approximately $3.4 billion in equipment, training, and capacity building for Mexican justice and law enforcement sectors.
In 2022, the United States provided nearly $200 million in additional humanitarian assistance to Mexico and Central America, bringing the total humanitarian assistance for the region since FY 2018 to more than $594 million. This is also conditional
Norse Hombre, kudos, you nailed it.
The guy isn‘t just not fit for office, he’s an unguided fricking missile. Or as we used to say in the UK in olden days „All wind and piss“
Impulsive? Absolutely! Trouble is, he’s so convinced the sun shines out of his rear end, he’s going to throw tantrums big time when things don’t work out as expected. Unfortunately not only those who voted for him will suffer, we all will e.g. with climate change thanks to his „Burn Baby“ attitude.
Maybe I‘m getting ahead of myself and he will take a premature bow after choking on a hamburger.
Meanwhile, folks North and South of the border as well as my fellow Europeans, buckle up, it’s gonna be a rough ride…
Norse is correct. IMO we are dealing with a psychopath that has great power. His mental state is rapidly devolving. And those who voted for him (not the majority of U.S. citizens) not only seem to be OK with it, but worship it in a very scary way. This makes for a difficult time facing Mexico. Even if a way is found to place nice with trump, those in his cabinet and those who have him by his ballroom show-and-tells will squeeze for what they want. And MAGA are still snowflakes regarding Mexico not building the wall. It’s going to be a sh÷tshow.
It makes for a difficult time facing the US, too. If we thought 9% inflation was bad a couple years ago, wait until his 60% tariff against all Chinese imports and 25% tariff on Mexico go through simultaneously lol.
Exactly 💯
Trumps tariffs on China from 4 years ago are still in place. Biden left them in place because they are working.
In my opinion all top of the world people have some psychological issues they are not known for empathy but rather being psychopaths who want to run the world even if they have to kill lots of people which they called collateral damages.
And just wait until there Is no guacamole (or avocados) available for the Super Bowl!
Brilliant. Challenge Trump; he reacts well to threats.
Many great comments. Norse very good. Trumps election a 2nd time cast a dark shadow over what the United States was in the past. Those who voted against him must remain firm in their beliefs thats 67 million voices. Trump tells so many lies he cant recall what he said a month ago.
So for me I was much better off 4 years ago. Look at the facts. Stop the hatred ‼️
4 years ago millions died from Covid. Great days.
The “tariffs” are going to take place no matter what Marcelo Ebrard says’. Ebrard is going to lose this battle because President Trump is more “powerful” than Ebrard. If you look at the past history of Marcelo Ebrard, he has been a complete “failure”, he is an “idiot”, “self-centered”, “married and divorced 3 times”, what does this tell you, an “arrogant man”, “confused”, and disgrace to all the Mexican people who really know him. Marcelo has failed in every official government position that he has held and worked. Don’t take my word, just look at his past record and you will see a man who is running around in circles and will “say” anything to make him look great, which he is NOT great nor smart. He loves to “blow his own horn”. What a shame for all the people of Mexico to have such a man represent them. Instead of trying to be improving the economy to reduce the poverty in Mexico and help the “poor”, he is ruining the relationship with the President of the United States.
The United States gives billions of dollars to Mexico.
From fiscal year 2014 to 2018, the State Department and USAID allocated approximately $723 million for the Mérida Initiative, a partnership to address crime and violence and enhance the rule of law in Mexico.
In 2015, Mexico received $338 million in aid, broadly classified as economic development and military assistance.
Between 2008 and 2024, the United States appropriated approximately $3.4 billion in equipment, training, and capacity building for Mexican justice and law enforcement sectors.
In 2022, the United States provided nearly $200 million in additional humanitarian assistance to Mexico and Central America, bringing the total humanitarian assistance for the region since FY 2018 to more than $594 million. New leadership will bring people together for the betterment of both countries. Stop the hate‼️
Trumps implementing of the USMCA to replace NAFTA helped boost Mexico’s GDP 8 billion dollars last year.
Man, u must be glued to MSNBC 24 hrs a day.
That’s “MSDNC”
Boy there are a lot of Trump haters, or US haters. That really would like the US , to be a communist country. Even though I live in Mexico, with no intention of returning anytime soon.
I am “warning” you President Sheinbaum, your Secretary Marcelo Ebrard is dealing with “FIRE”. If he “pisses” Trump with his “dumb” and “stupid” comments to make Marcelo look great, your government is going to get impacted one way or another. President Sheinbaum, best to tell your Secretary Ebrard, to keep all “his personal “thoughts” to himself for Mexico’s all the people of Mexico’s “sake” and the future “good working relationship” with the United States. Don’t “screw” up the” thin” relationship that exists right now between the two countries. Tell Marcelo to be “quite” ‘ for the time being.
Trump definitely has tds. He has to be a bully because he isn’t packing anything. That’s why everyone is afraid of the psychopath. He’ll do anything to feel like a man.
He knows he has no mandate-smallest popular vote margin in 50 years. There were more 3rd party vote than votes between trump and Harris. He keeps taking people from the House, so it is going to be another lame duck till special elections are called in about 4 or so months. He has several cabinet picks already not going to make it through the Senate conformation. He is going to be in a pissy mood. And with his mental health spiraling down, it is going to be a crazy time for anyone not kissing his ass.