United States President Donald Trump has threatened to double tariffs on Mexico if its government fails to stop a group of more than 1,000 migrants heading north towards the US border.
Trump issued the warning on Thursday, insisting that the migrants would not be allowed to enter the United States.
In a post on his social media platform, he called on the Mexican government to stop the group immediately or face an increase in tariffs.
“Here we go again! They will not be accepted! MEXICO MUST STOP THEM, NOW, and if they do not do so, the Tariffs on Mexico will be IMMEDIATELY DOUBLED,” Trump wrote.
He added that Mexico, the newly elected governor of Texas, the US Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had been informed of his position.
“There will be no leniency!” he added.
The migrant group, estimated at about 1,500 people, mostly from Central America, departed the southern Mexican city of Tapachula near the Guatemalan border on Tuesday.
The migrants reportedly began the journey hoping that the Democrats’ victory in the US midterm elections could create opportunities for them to live and work in the United States.
There was no immediate response from Mexican government officials to Trump’s threat.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was scheduled to address the issue during her regular news conference on Thursday morning.
The latest warning comes as Washington and Mexico City continue negotiations over a trade agreement, following Trump’s decision in July not to extend the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
The Trump administration’s strict immigration policies have significantly reduced migrant crossings at the US southern border, leaving several migrant shelters in Mexico largely empty.
Trump was re-elected in 2024 partly on promises to strengthen border security and tackle illegal immigration.
However, he has acknowledged in recent months that immigration has become less politically influential for him and the Republican Party.
Following the November 3 midterm elections, Trump expressed confidence that Texas’ newly elected Democratic Governor, Gina Hinojosa, would prioritise border security.
“I am sure the new governor is going to want to have security at the Texas border,” he told reporters.
The tariff threat also comes amid growing political backlash over the administration’s deportation programme carried out by ICE.
On Sunday, Trump acknowledged criticism of the enforcement operation during an interview on CBS’s 60 Minutes, saying the deportation force had been “too tough”.
He also said he was open to reaching an immigration agreement with Democrats after they take control of the US Congress in January.
