US President Donald Trump said talks with Mexico have so far made progress but more was needed, as he aims to impose tariffs on the southern neighbour next week if more is not done to curb immigration flows.
A second day of talks at the White House is set for Thursday, with the Mexican side headed by Secretary of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrard, who is trying to prevent Washington from imposing 5-per-cent tariffs on all Mexican goods.
‘As you know, Mexico was in yesterday. They're coming back this morning, in Washington. They'll be meeting at the White House. I think a lot of progress was made yesterday, but we have to make a lot of progress,’ Trump said before leaving Ireland for France.
‘They have to step up,’ Trump said, as he is seeking to pressure Mexico to crack down on immigration from Central America, in order to reduce arrivals at the US border.
Data from the US government this week showed apprehensions at the border in May were triple the level seen during that period last year. The president argues there is a ‘crisis’ at the border.
Trump is facing opposition from both parties in Congress, amid fear tariffs would hurt both countries and damage relations between the neighbours.
