A Tariff Threat Against Mexico Could Be Trump's Riskiest Yet

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders walks with Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley following a press conference on May 31, 2019.

(WIN MCNAMEE/Getty Images)

Over the past year, U.S. President Donald Trump has made immigration a clear priority for his administration in an effort to shore up support ahead of the 2020 election. On May 30, he threatened to impose tariffs of up to 25 percent on all Mexican imports unless Mexico took "substantial" action to stem the flow of migrants crossing the U.S. border.

On May 30, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 5 percent tariff on all goods from Mexico starting June 10 unless the country takes "substantial" steps to stem the flow of migrants crossing the U.S. border. According to Trump's statement, that tariff would continue to rise by 5 percentage points on the first day of each following month until eventually capping off at 25 percent in October, where it would remain until Washington deems enough has been done to counter northbound migration flows from Central America. What's the likelihood Trump will follow through? Other than fewer migrants flowing through, it remains unclear what other criteria the United States would be use to judge Mexico. Following Trump's announcement, a White House official only noted that the criteria would be "ad hoc.