At a campaign event in Raleigh, North Carolina, former President Donald Trump announced his plan to address what he called a failure of Mexico to curb the flow of migrants and drugs into the United States.
Trump proposed a significant 25% tariff on all goods imported from Mexico if the country does not take decisive action to halt the influx.
“I’m going to inform her [Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum] on day one, or sooner, that if they don’t stop this onslaught of criminals and drugs coming into our country, I’m going to immediately impose a 25% tariff on everything they send in to the United States of America,” Trump said during the rally.
The rally was Trump’s final North Carolina stop before Election Day and part of a last push through key battleground states.
“You’re the first ones I’ve told that to. Congratulations, North Carolina,” he added. “And it’s only got a 100% chance of working, because if that doesn’t work I’ll make it 50, and if that does work I’ll make it 75 for the tough guys, then I’ll make it 100.”
The proposed tariff marks a bold escalation in Trump’s stance on border policy, tying trade penalties directly to immigration and drug enforcement cooperation with Mexico.
“I will invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to target and dismantle every migrant criminal network operating on American soil. And if they come back into our country, it’s an automatic 10 years in jail with no possibility of parole,” he said. “And I’m hereby calling for the death penalty for any migrant that kills an American citizen or a law enforcement officer. And I will immediately ban all sanctuary cities.”
The former president’s comments reflect his campaign’s commitment to tightening immigration policy and addressing issues impacting border security.
