Late last week President Trump threatened to slap tariffs on Mexico if the government didn't do more to curb the massive flow of illegal immigrants from Central America to the United States. Mexican officials scrambled and sent an official delegation to Washington D.C. for a meeting with Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Acting DHS Secretary Kevin McAleenan and other senior U.S. officials on Wednesday.
Privileged to welcome the Mexican delegation to the @WhiteHouse today. Negotiations will continue. Progress was made but as @POTUS said “not nearly enough.” @SecPompeo, @DHSMcAleenan, & I made clear: Mexico must do more to address the urgent crisis at our Southern Border. pic.twitter.com/u3uljnebrh
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) June 5, 2019
Since then, Mexico has made new efforts to secure its southern border with Guatemala. The Mexican military has been deployed and turned back a Central American caravan make up of more than 1000 people.
As the Mexican delegation sits down to talk migration with the US Administration in DC - on the Southern Mexico border a ‘caravan’ of (AP says) around 1000 people is intercepted by Mex officials.
— John Holman (@johnholman100) June 5, 2019
Perhaps the biggest signal they could give of compliance with Pres. Trump’s wishes. pic.twitter.com/bgknGT1cmb
WaPo: U.S./Mexico close to a deal to avoid tariffs. Mexico has proposed sending 6,000 troops to its southern border w/ Guatemala and what sounds like a modified version of a “safe third country” agreement. Unclear how close or if it will satisfy Trump. https://t.co/RmJhkCtW4k
— Robbie Whelan (@RWhelanWSJ) June 6, 2019
Further:
Meanwhile in other news #Mexico suddenly willing to discuss changing asylum rules & border enforcement including migrants being required to seek asylum in first country they enter rather than in the U.S & Mexico sending 6K troops to border with Guatemalahttps://t.co/hvZf3SmvTX
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) June 7, 2019
But it isn't enough and as of Friday morning, the White House is moving forward with tariffs.
“Our position hasn’t changed,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said onboard Air Force One Friday. “Tariffs are going to take effect on Monday.”
"The meetings have gone well but as of now we’re still on track for tariffs on Monday,” she continued.
President Trump will return to Washington D.C. Friday night after a five-day trip overseas.