Mexico Warns Trump On Unilateral Tax For Border Wall Funding
Mexico has warned the US government on unilateral tax on Mexican to finance a border wall. The Mexican Foreign Minister said the government could place tariffs on selected goods from US states reliant on exports to Mexico.
According to BBC, the foreign minister has identified states including Texas, Iowa, and Wisconsin as possible targets for retaliatory tariffs. Mexico is by far the top destination for Texan exports with a good worth of over $115 million exported there in 2015.
The Mexican Foreign Minister's warning came after US President Donald Trump said that the wall will be built "soon way ahead of schedule". Trump pledged to put always American citizens first and build a "great, great border wall".
The report from US government says they will start design proposal for the wall in next month. The US department says it will ask companies to submit proposals for the build of several prototype wall structures on or around March 6.
The shortlist of the best designs will be drawn up by March 20. After which bidders will be asked to cost their ideas.
INDIA BLOOMS has reported that the US president said Mexico will pay the wall, which could cost up to $21.5 billion. But the actual figure is much higher than Trump's estimated price tag of $12 billion. For that, the president has proposed to levy a 20 percent tax on Mexican imports to pay for a border wall.
The Mexican Foreign Minister Mr. Videgeray, in a radio interview, said that Mexico believes in free trade. But they would have to respond if the US tried to impose a unilateral tax on Mexican imports.
However, the wall issue is a very sensitive political issue in Mexico. Mexican President Pena Nieto has canceled a trip to meet Trump last month over the border dispute. He said Mexico will not fund the wall.
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