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A2 UP FRONT
Saturday 1 June 2019

Trump’s tariff plan shows the risks he’s willing to take

Continued from Front Nonetheless, Trump’s tariff
prescription for the prob-
That was the morning af- lem was instantly panned
ter he announced the 5% across the political spec-
tariff would kick in on June trum . Republican Sen.
10 — and increase monthly Chuck Grassley of Iowa, a
to 25% “until the Illegal Im- usual Trump ally and the
migration problem is rem- chairman of the Senate
edied.” Finance Committee, said
“Because of the Dems, our it was a “misuse of presi-
Immigration Laws are BAD. dential tariff authority” that
Mexico makes a FORTUNE would burden American
from the U.S., have for de- consumers and “seriously
cades, they can easily fix jeopardize passage” of the
this problem. Time for them U.S.-Mexico-Canada pact
to finally do what must be to modify the North Ameri-
done!” he said. can Free Trade Agree-
Debate over solutions ment.
aside, indicators at the “Imposing tariffs on goods
border have indeed been from Mexico is exactly the
getting worse. For May, wrong move,” said Neil
officials said Thursday, ap- Bradley, executive vice
prehensions are expected president of the U.S. Cham-
to hit their highest level in ber of Commerce , the es-
more than a dozen years tablishment lobbying giant
and “significantly surpass that now is exploring legal
the record 109,000 in April,” action to block the tariffs. In this April 9, 2019, file photo, trucks wait to cross the border with the U.S. in Ciudad Juarez,
said acting Homeland “These tariffs will be paid Mexico.
Security Secretary Kevin by American families and Associated Press
McAleenan. businesses without doing the latest manifestation border wall will be far from including White House
On Wednesday, a group a thing to solve the very of Trump’s increasing reli- fulfilled by the time voters Counsel Pat Cipollone, had
of 1,036 — including fami- real problems at the bor- ance on instinct and his decide his political fate been studying how to ful-
lies and unaccompanied der,” Bradley said, implor- aides’ increasing unwill- next year. With his cam- fill the president’s wish for
children — was appended ing Congress and the presi- ingness or inability to con- paign depending on even weeks and settled on the
after crossing from Juárez. dent to work together to strain an impulsive leader. more of his hard-core sup- tariff plan as a more legally-
That was the largest group address border problems. Many of the people who porters turning out in 2020 sound move than Trump’s
ever apprehended at the To both allies and critics, had once talked Trump out than in 2016, Trump’s team push to close the border.
border. the tariff escalation marks of going through with his is worried that the spike in White House officials assert
most radical ideas, such as crossings could prove to that the tariff announce-
completely shutting down be a political headache ment was a negotiating
the southern border or re- with his base. But in aiming tool, designed to get Mex-
newing the controversial for progress on that front, ico to act. And, perhaps
immigrant child separation Trump is now throwing into seeking to calm anxious
policy, have been pushed the wager another cam- markets, they suggest the
out of the administration, paign promise: approval taxes might never take ef-
including former Homeland of his renegotiated North fect.
Security Secretary Kirstjen American trade pact. “We fully believe they have
Nielsen. Sandwiched between two the ability to stop people
The tariff announcement presidential foreign trips, coming in from their south-
was made with a striking and with senior adviser ern border and if they’re
amount of secrecy for the and Mexico liaison Jared able to do that, these tariffs
leak-prone Trump admin- Kushner out of the country, will either not go into place
istration, with barely two the tariff announcement or will be removed after
dozen officials in the West caught many in the White they go into place,” said
Wing aware of what was to House and on Capitol Hill acting White House chief
transpire. Trade Represen- unawares. Press secre- of staff Mick Mulvaney.
tative Bob Lighthizer and tary Sarah Sanders insisted Asked what Mexico can
other officials with trade that the White House had do to avoid the levies,
portfolios were not includ- briefed key lawmakers and press secretary Sanders
ed in the final discussions allies on the plan before it said a good start would
Thursday and privately ex- was announced, though be for Mexico to send
pressed opposition to the some complained they home Central American
move, according to three found out only at the last migrants crossing through
people familiar with the moment, with no time to their country to get into the
matter who spoke only on provide feedback. United States.
the condition of anonymity. While the announcement “They can return them
Trump is mindful that many was a surprise, Trump’s back home,” she said.
of his efforts to clamp ire over a sharp increase “They can stop these mas-
down on illegal immigra- in southern border cross- sive caravans from coming
tion have been stymied ings and his demand for through their country into
by courts or Congress, and increasingly drastic action ours. That would be a very
that his promise to build a were not. Trump attorneys, big first step.”q