May 31, 2019

Castro Statement on Mexican Tariffs

WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Vice Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and a member of the House Intelligence and Education and Labor Committees, released the following statement today in response to President Trump’s promise to impose a five percent tariff in June on all goods coming into the U.S. from Mexico to thwart migrants from coming to our border:

“Texas does more trade than any state in the nation. Mexico is our top trading partner. President Trump’s announced intent to impose tariffs on all Mexican imports will have severe consequences for Texas consumers and businesses, and will only invite reciprocal tariffs by Mexico, compounding the economic harm. Laying economic sanctions on Mexico will not improve the President’s political leverage with Mexico or Congress. In fact, it will do the opposite. Tariffs as high as 25% on all Mexican imports would be a disaster and I call on Texas Republicans to publicly oppose the President’s threat.

“Congress cannot allow this President to tank our economy and our relationships with neighbors to further demonize immigrants fleeing violence. Increasing the costs of goods on Americans will not solve the dire humanitarian situation in Central America. We are a nation of immigrants. President Trump cannot, and will not, rewrite that history.”

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