US and Mexico close agreement on immigration, suspending application of 5% tariff on imports

WASHINGTON - After three days of negotiations, US PresidentDonald Trump announced an agreement with Mexico on immigration control , indefinitely suspending the application of a 5% tariff on all Mexican imports to theUnited States .

The agreement provides that many of the immigrants who cross the American border through Mexico and apply for asylum in the United States will await the outcome of the trial in Mexico. This was one oThe Mexican government has confirmed the deployment of additional troops to the country's southern border , the main point of entry for immigrants. This displacement will begin on Monday, giving priority to 11 municipalities. During the talks the number of 6,000 soldiers was mentioned by people close to the talks, but he did not aIn May, the Mexican government deported 15,654 people who entered the country illegally. So far, more than 80,000 people have been evicted. But the United States says it is still a bit short: this year alone, up to 800,000 people are expected to cross Mexico to try to enter American territory. According to the Interior Minister, Olga Sánchez, the southern border of the country will be strengthened to avoid new caravans .

The main points of the agreement

• Border Patrol: US Secretary of State Mike Pence said after the announcement of the agreement that Mexico has promised to reinforce the presence of its National Guard on the border with Guatemala. The information was confirmed by Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, who said that the displacement of agents will start on Monday, and will focus on 11 municipalities on the southern border of the country.

• Asylum seekers: According to the US government, the United States will expand a program that sends asylum seekers back to Mexico as they await the outcome of their trials. The US pledged to accelerate as much as possible the process of analyzing asylum applications.

• Regional strategies: The two countries recognized the links between investments in southern Mexico and improved living conditions in Central America, and pledged to lead the efforts of the Comprehensive Development Plan, developed jointly with Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras to combat main causes of migration, in addition to sharing intelligence on border security. Mexico has also committed itself to drastic measures to dismantle human trafficking networks

Mexico is still committed to actions to dismantle trafficking networks . And he said he would take "unprecedented " measures to curb illegal immigration.

Finally, the two sides have pledged to evaluate the measures for the next 90 days.

For the Mexican chancellor, Marcelo Ebrard, this was a " balanced " agreement . He said the two countries will lead efforts to turn Central America into a " prosperous, safe and developed " region. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he would work to get the neighboring country to comply with the plan, ensuring " a strong and secure border ."

The announcement of an agreement came through President Trump's Twitter account. According to him, all the actions of the government ofAndrés Manuel López Obrador are being done to reduce and even eliminate irregular immigration from Mexico and Central America. The Mexican president, also using Twitter, thanked the support for the negotiations to be successful. "Thanks to the support of all Mexicans we managed to avoid imposing tariffs on Mexican products that are exported to the US," he said.f the more complicated points of the negotiations. The United States considers that the measure would help control the number of irregular migrants, but Mexico said that would make the country a kind of "last refuge ." Mexico already receives some people in this situation, but according to the plan, that number will be expanded.

"I am pleased to report that the United States has reached an agreement with Mexico. Tariffs scheduled to be implemented by the US on Monday against Mexico are thus suspended indefinitely, "the president said on Twitter. "Mexico, for its part, has agreed to take strong measures to halt the tide of migration through its territory, and to our southern border. This is being done to greatly reduce, or eliminate, illegal immigration from Mexico to the United States. "

Under the agreement, a program will be set up to offer work to immigrants awaiting the outcome of the asylum application and to ensure that their basic rights are respected.

Already campaigning for re-election and frustrated because Congress did not approve the money he asked for to build a wall closing all 3,000 kilometers of the border with Mexico , Trump announced the imposition of tariffs on Mexican products last week. Initially 5% from June 10, the rate would be readjusted monthly until reaching 25%.

Since 1994, Mexico has partnered with the United States in the North American Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA. The agreement was renegotiated and will be replaced by the United States, Mexico and Canada Agreement , which was already ready to be voted by the legislatures of the three countries when Trump announced the punishment to the Mexicans.

To impose tariffs without any commercial justification, Trump had resorted to a law used to apply international sanctions for national security issues, which is being challenged in court. Republican senators also oppose the tariff on Mexico, fearing that it will affect the economy in their states, given the interdependence between the two countries. One of the most affected sectors, if the tariff is imposed, will be the auto industry.

Trump had been under heavy pressure within the US to avoid tariffs. "The imposition of unilateral tariffs on Mexico harms businesses and consumers as it puts into practice the United States, Mexico and Canada. risk Congressional approval of the T-MEC, "the United States Chamber of Commerce said in a statement.