US president warns of doubling import tariffs unless Mexico stops migrant groups travelling north towards the American border.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to immediately double tariffs on Mexican goods unless the Mexican government takes action to stop migrant groups travelling towards the United States.
Trump made the warning on Thursday, November 12, in a social media post, saying that Mexico must prevent the migrants from reaching the US border or face higher trade duties.
According to Reuters, approximately 1,500 migrants, mostly from Central America, left the southern Mexican city of Tapachula near the Guatemalan border earlier this week. The group was travelling north in the hope of reaching the United States.
Trump described the movement as an invasion and warned that there would be no leniency if Mexico failed to respond.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected Trump’s suggestion that large migrant caravans were reaching the US border. She said no migrant caravan had reached the northern border since Trump returned to office in January 2025.
According to Sheinbaum, Mexican authorities were informing migrants about the difficulties of entering the United States and exploring ways to help them return to their home countries or remain in Mexico under certain conditions.
She also ruled out using force against the migrants.
The tariff warning comes at a sensitive time for relations between Washington and Mexico City, as both countries are discussing trade arrangements and economic cooperation.
Mexico is one of the United States’ largest trading partners. Any significant increase in tariffs could affect businesses, manufacturers, consumers and cross-border supply chains in both countries.
However, Trump did not explain which specific tariffs would be doubled or when the proposed increase would take effect.
The latest development has added uncertainty to US-Mexico relations, particularly over immigration policy and international trade.
