US President Biden described Trump’s tariff threats as ‘strong’

Nantucket: President Joe Biden warned on Thursday against damaging relations with Canada and Mexico, after Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on both US neighbors when he takes office in January.

“I think it’s a counterproductive thing to do,” Biden told reporters when asked about his plans for his successor.

“The last thing we need to do is start to erode those relationships. I think we’ve got them in a good place,” he said during a visit to the fire department in Nantucket, Massachusetts. said during a visit to the fire department in Nantucket, Massachusetts, where he is spending his final Thanksgiving holiday. President

Trump sent shockwaves through global markets on Monday when he announced on social media that one of his first presidential actions would be to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada – which have a free trade agreement with the United States. – and will add a 10% tariff. on china.

Pledging that tariffs on America’s neighbors would only be lifted if illegal immigration and drug trafficking stopped, he reaffirmed his intention to use trade against allies and rivals alike.

After expressing opposition to Trump’s threats in a letter, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke by phone with the Republican president-elect on Wednesday.

Both leaders described the call positively, although they differed on what actually happened.

Trump claimed that Sheinbaum had “agreed to stop immigration, effectively closing our southern border through Mexico and the United States.”

The Mexican president was quick to point out that he had only outlined Mexico’s current “comprehensive strategy” on migration.

“Thanks to this, migrants and caravans are being taken care of before they reach the border,” he said on X.

“We reiterate that Mexico’s position is not to close the borders, but to build bridges between the government and the people,” he added.

Asked about the dispute at his daily press conference on Thursday, Scheinbaum said: “I can assure you … that we would never – we would not be able to – suggest that we going to close.”

The Mexican government warned that Trump’s tariffs would be met with retaliation, potentially putting American jobs at risk, with economy minister Sheinbaum saying it would be a “shot in the foot.” will be synonymous.

Scheinbaum said Thursday that after his talks with Trump, “a potential tariff war will not happen.”

“The important thing was to address the point he made,” he said, adding that he believed discussions with Trump would be constructive.

Biden also spoke about the importance of maintaining a working relationship with China on Thursday.

“We have established a hotline, a direct line, between President Xi and myself as well as our military,” Biden said, adding that he was “confident” that his Chinese counterpart “Don’t want to make a mistake.”

“I’m not saying he’s our best friend, but he understands what’s at stake.”