Despite a Deal on Migration, a Tariff Threat Still Hangs Over Mexico

MIN READJun 11, 2019 | 07:17 GMT

Cargo truck drivers line up to cross to the United States at the Otay commercial crossing port in Tijuana, Baja California state, on June 6, 2019.

(GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP/Getty Images)

An agreement by Mexico to step up its efforts to stem migration flows from Central America and into the United States has deflected the White House threat to impose tariffs of up to 25 percent on its exports. But uncertainty surrounding the plan to penalize Mexico for failing to hold up its end of the deal to U.S. President Donald Trump's satisfaction persists. And that uncertainty will have real effects on Mexico's bottom line, as well as on the Mexican administration's efforts to consolidate power. Details of the agreement with Mexico's government to curb illegal migration northward across the Mexico-Guatemala border include a commitment by the Mexican government to assign 6,000 National Guard troops to border enforcement duties. Those personnel would complement the thousands of federal police, soldiers and state police already performing those duties there. Mexico also agreed that migrants requesting asylum in the United States could be returned...