Page 2 - ARUBA TODAY

A2 UP FRONT
Wednesday 5 June 2019
TRUMP-GOP the president doesn't have
Continued from Front anywhere near the same
Congressional rejection backing for the tariffs.
would be a stiff rebuke to The GOP opposition is
Trump, even more force- grounded in fears over
ful than an earlier effort to what Trump's tariffs would
prevent him from shifting do to the livelihoods of or-
money to build his long- dinary Americans . Sena-
promised border wall with tors worry they would spike
Mexico. U.S. consumers' costs , harm
"Deep concern and re- the economy and imperil a
sistance," is how Sen. Ted major pending US-Mexico-
Cruz of Texas characterized Canada trade deal.
the mood. "I will yield to no- With jitters running high,
body in passion and seri- Federal Reserve Chairman
ousness and commitment Jerome Powell said Tues-
to securing the border, but day he's prepared to re-
there's no reason for Texas spond to protect the econ-
farmers and ranchers and omy, and stocks rallied on
manufacturers and small that signal that the Fed will
businesses to pay the price likely cut interest rates later
of massive new taxes." this year.
Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Mexico is concerned about
who was among the sena- the tariffs as well, but top
tors who spoke up, said, "I officials seemed optimistic
think the administration has about a resolution.
to be concerned about "By what we have seen so
another vote of disapprov- far, we will be able to reach
al. ... I'm not the only one an agreement," Foreign
saying it." Minister Marcelo Ebrard Mexican Ambassador Martha Barcena Coqui, second from left, and Mexican Foreign Affairs Sec-
The outcome would be said during a news confer- retary Marcelo Ebrard, right, speak before a news conference at the Mexican Embassy in Wash-
uncertain — Trump could ence at the Mexican Em- ington, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, as part of a Mexican delegation in Washington for talks following
try to veto a disapproval bassy in Washington. "That trade tariff threats from the Trump Administration.
resolution as he did before. is why I think the imposition Associated Press
But many Republicans who of tariffs can be avoided." state visit to Britain. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R- where Republicans may be
voted against Trump earlier Trump, during a press con-
this year actually supported ference in London, offered "But I think it's more like- Iowa, chairman of the Fi- less likely to oppose him.
ly that the tariffs go on," nance Committee, told Democrats — and some
his ultimate goal of building mixed messages.
the border wall. They were "We're going to see if we he said. He also said he reporters Tuesday the tariffs Republicans — doubt the
doubted Republicans in make passage of USMCA tariffs will ever take effect.
just uneasy with his execu- can do something," he said
tive reach to do it. Now, on the second day of his Congress would muster the "more difficult." Senate Democratic leader
votes against him. "If they Questions remained, Chuck Schumer said Tues-
do, it's foolish." meanwhile, over how, ex- day that "Trump has a habit
The Mexican officials ar- actly, the president would of talking tough and then
rived in Washington over invoke executive authority retreating."
the weekend as Mexico to slap tariffs on the Mexi- Trump struck back against
launched a diplomatic can goods -- and what Schumer on Twitter, insist-
counteroffensive and fresh Congress could do to block ing the tariff threat was "no
negotiations. On Tuesday, him. bluff."
Mexico's trade negotiator Trump has indicated he Earlier Tuesday, Trump
Jesus Seade was meeting will rely on the Internation- claimed "millions of peo-
with U.S. Trade Representa- al Emergency Economic ple" are entering the U.S.
tive Robert Lighthizer, and Powers Act, a national through Mexico and criti-
Ebrard will meet Wednes- emergency executive ac- cized congressional Demo-
day with Secretary of State tion he can take without crats for not passing new
Mike Pompeo. congressional approval. laws. He said, "Mexico
Republican senators are But lawmakers say they can should not allow millions of
hopeful those talks will pre- quickly vote on a resolution people to try and enter our
vent the tariffs. But if ne- to disapprove. That's what country." It is unclear what
gotiations should fail, the happened earlier this year more Mexico can do — and
lawmakers warn they may when Congress, stunned what would be enough —
have no choice but to take by Trump's claim of execu- to satisfy Trump on illegal
action to stop Trump. tive power, tried to block immigration, a signature is-
"Our hope is the tariffs will him from taking funds for sue of his presidency. The
be avoided," McConnell the border wall with Mexi- United States has not pre-
said. co. Congress voted to dis- sented concrete bench-
Lawmakers and business approve of Trump's actions, marks to assess whether the
allies worry the tariffs will but the president vetoed U.S. ally is sufficiently stem-
derail the long-promised the resolution. ming the migrant flow from
United-States-Mexico- This time, Republicans warn Central America. Mexico
Canada trade deal— a the numbers could be high- calls the potential tariffs
rewrite of the North Ameri- er against the president — hurtful to the economies
can Free Trade Agreement possibly a veto-proof ma- of both countries and use-
that Trump campaigned jority in the Senate. But it's less to slow the northbound
against and promised to unclear the president could flow of Central American
replace. be blocked in the House migrants.q