Page 2 - ARUBA TODAY

A2 UP FRONT
Friday 7 June 2019
U.S. and Mexico a deal could be reached
Continued from Front to satisfy Trump, or at least
The frantic, last-minute talks delay the tariffs' implemen-
underscore Trump's cha- tation.
otic approach even when Mexican Foreign Secretary
decisions have enormous Marcelo Ebrard spent sev-
economic consequences eral hours at the State De-
for both the U.S. and its partment Thursday morn-
closest allies. Trump has ing, while Trump's legal
embraced tariffs as a tool counsel and other Mexi-
he can use as leverage can aides met at the White
against other countries, dis- House Thursday afternoon.
missing the potential harm Ebrard told reporters as he
to American consumers left the State Department
and manufacturers. Thursday evening: "We
Traveling in Europe, Trump don't have yet an agree-
told reporters that nego- ment. So tomorrow morn-
tiators had made "a lot of ing we are going to keep
progress," but continued to working."
play coy. His spokesman, Roberto
"We'll see what happens," Velasco, tweeted, "Options
Trump said in Ireland be- continue to be explored."
fore leaving for France to "The stance of the United
attend a D-Day ceremo- States is focused on mea-
ny. "But something pretty sures of migratory control,
dramatic could happen. ours on development," he Vice President Mike Pence speaks at JLS Automation in York, Pa., Thursday, June 6, 2019.
We've told Mexico the tar- said. Associated Press
iffs go on. And I mean it, Still, Ebrard noted that Mex-
too. And I'm very happy ico would deploy 6,000 Na- tariffs because what we've that he sees as crucial to Hill had argued that add-
with it." tional Guard troops to its seen so far is that the Mexi- his 2020 re-election cam- ing the tariffs to an existing
It remained unclear wheth- border with Guatemala to cans, what they're propos- paign. declaration, which Trump
er any deal could be struck help control the flow of mi- ing, is simply not enough." Beyond Trump and several has used to secure bor-
with Trump out of the coun- grants. During Wednesday's talks, White House advisers, few in der wall money and which
try. Many in Washington White House officials have the gulf between the coun- the administration believe Republicans had largely
still expect the tariffs to go downplayed the likelihood tries was clear as Mexico imposing tariffs is a good backed, would minimize
into effect barring a ma- of a deal to avert the tariffs, offered small, thus far un- idea, according to officials resistance, all but ensuring
jor new concession from with White House spokes- disclosed concessions, and familiar with internal de- Congress would be unable
Mexico, though lawmakers woman Mercedes Schlapp the U.S. demanded major liberations. Those people to muster the votes to over-
who have been in talks with telling Fox News in an inter- action. A senior adminis- worry about the negative ride a presidential veto. In-
both U.S. and Mexican offi- view that "it looks like we're tration official said the U.S. economic consequences voking a new emergency
cials said they were hopeful moving toward this path of once again pressed Mexi- for Americans and believe declaration might make it
co to step up enforcement the tariffs — which would easier for senators to break
on its southern border and likely spark retaliatory taxes with Trump.
to enter into a "safe third on U.S. exports — would Republicans in Congress
country agreement" that also hurt the administration have warned the White
would make it difficult for politically. The officials were House that they are ready
those who enter Mexico not authorized to discuss to stand up to the presi-
from other countries to the matter publicly and dent to try to block his tar-
claim asylum in the U.S. spoke on condition of ano- iffs, which they worry would
But Mexico surprised U.S. of- nymity. spike costs to U.S. consum-
ficials Thursday when they Trump also is considering ers, harm the economy
FROM 6-7PM returned to the negotiating declaring a new national and imperil a major pend-
table and said they would emergency to justify the ing U.S.-Mexico-Canada
commit to what Pence had measure. The White House trade deal .
requested, according to had said Trump would im- Democratic House Ways
the official, who cautioned pose the tariff by invoking and Means Committee
that significant questions the International Emergen- Chairman Richard Neal
about timing and imple- cy Economic Powers Act, said he will introduce a
mentation remain. which allows presidents to resolution of disapproval to
Trump officials have said take action "to deal with stop the tariffs if Trump goes
Mexico can prevent the tar- any unusual and extraor- through with his threat,
iffs by securing its southern dinary threat, which has its panning it as presidential
border with Guatemala, source in whole or substan- "overreach." The Depart-
cracking down on criminal tial part outside the United ment of Homeland Security
smuggling organizations States ... if the President announced Wednesday
and overhauling its asylum declares a national emer- that U.S. Border Patrol ap-
system. But the U.S. has not gency with respect to such prehensions of migrants il-
proposed concrete metrics threat." legally crossing the border
to assess whether Mexico An administration official hit the highest level in more
is complying, and it is un- said it remained unclear, than a decade in May:
clear whether even those however, whether such a 132,887 apprehensions,
steps would be enough to move would be necessary including a record 84,542
satisfy Trump on illegal im- and said the question was adults and children travel-
migration, a signature issue being reviewed by lawyers. ing together and 11,507
of his presidency and one Republicans on Capitol children traveling alone.q