Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to “immediately” double tariffs on Mexico if it does not stop migrant caravans travelling towards the U.S.
In a post to his Truth Social site on Thursday, Trump said migrant groups had formed and were travelling towards the border from Mexico to the U.S.. He said they would not be allowed into the U.S. and urged Mexican authorities to stop them.
“Mexico must stop them, now, and if they do not do so, the Tariffs on Mexico will be immediately doubled.”
However, Trump did not give any specifics of what tariffs would be increased, which products they would impact or on what legal basis they would be increased. He also did not give a specific time frame, instead saying it would depend on how Mexico reacted.
Trump said the warning had been given to Mexico, the Governor of Texas, next Governor of Texas, U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“No mercy!”
Trump ties tariffs to migrant movement
Trump made the statement after a group of around 1,500 migrants, mainly from Central America started travelling north from Tapachula in southern Mexico, close to the border with Guatemala.
The migrants left on Tuesday, according to reports, after the U.S. midterm elections. Some hoped they could take advantage of political changes in the U.S. to move there to live and work.
Trump mentioned the movement in his social media post, tying the movement to an increased pressure on the U.S. border due to the midterms.
“Here we go again! With the perceived loss by the Republicans in the Midterms – I was not on the ballot- the invasion of our Country is taking place again.”
However, he did not give any proof of the link between the elections and migrant movement.
Mexican President denies Claims
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum denied Trump’s claims.
She said no migrant caravans had arrived at the U.S. border since Trump returned to power in January 2025, Mexican media reported.
She said a group in Arriaga, southern state of Chiapas had dropped to less than 100 people from around 500-600. Mexican authorities were telling migrants that it would be challenging to get into the U.S..
Another group from Honduras were being offered humanitarian aid and told what their options were.
This suggested that Mexican authorities were handling the situation, and trying to deter the migrants from continuing on their journey.
Threat comes as U.S. and Mexico City talk trade deals
Trump’s threat comes as Washington and Mexico City are negotiating new trade deals and potential cuts to current U.S. tariffs on Mexican goods such as steel, aluminium and cars.
According to the Financial Times, the two countries have been negotiating.
This means Trump’s comment adds another element of tension to the negotiations. The increase in tariffs could have an impact on trade between the two neighbouring countries.
Mexico is a destination for migrants and a key transit point for those travelling north from Central America to the U.S.. The two countries share a long land border meaning immigration control and border management are key factors in the relationship.
As of yet, Trump has not given any specifics on how large the increase would be, or how it would be carried out. It is dependent on Mexico stopping the migrant groups.