Trump Threatens to Double Mexico Tariffs Over Migrant Caravan

President Donald Trump has threatened to double all current U.S. tariffs on Mexico if the country allows a caravan of more than 1,000 migrants to reach the American border. In a post on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump said, "MEXICO MUST STOP THEM, NOW, and if they do not do so, the Tariffs on Mexico will be IMMEDIATELY DOUBLED."

The caravan, which set off on Tuesday from the southern Mexican city of Tapachula near the Guatemala border, is the third to attempt to traverse Mexico since September. The previous two caravans were broken up by Mexican authorities, and their members were granted temporary stay permits.

Some migrants indicated they were motivated by the prospect of looser U.S. immigration policy following Democratic gains in the midterm elections. Cesar Sandoval, a 47-year-old Nicaraguan, told AFP he hoped to have "another chance" to enter the U.S., adding, "We hope they remember that the ones who gave them the vote so they could make it to the Senate and Congress were the sons of Hispanics, the sons of Latinos."

Another migrant, 38-year-old Cristian Pablo of Guatemala, said, "God is coming with us on this journey. The United States offers better opportunities than Guatemala."

Trump's threat marks a significant escalation in trade tensions between the U.S. and Mexico, which is a key trading partner. The U.S. president has previously used tariff threats to pressure Mexico on immigration enforcement. The economic impact of such a move could be substantial, affecting industries on both sides of the border.

The situation remains fluid, and it is unclear whether Mexico will take additional measures to stop the caravan. The U.S. border patrol and ICE have been informed of the president's directive, according to the post.