(The Center Square) – Former President Donald Trump said Monday he would impose a double-digit tariff on Mexico if the nation doesn’t stop illegal border crossings.
During a speech in Raleigh, N.C., the Republican nominee said he waited to debut the policy proposal to keep Democratic challenger Kamala Harris from stealing it – though the vice president has openly criticized trading tariffs as a de facto sales tax.
“And it’s only got a 100% chance of working because if that doesn’t work I’ll make it 50,” Trump said, the crowd roaring. “And if that doesn’t work, I’ll make it 75 for the tough guys. Then I’ll make it 100.”
The United States imported goods from Mexico totaling $493 billion in 2022 – a 64% increase over the last decade, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
Trump’s comments come on the eve of Election Day and during the first of four rallies planned in swing states that could deliver him the White House. From Raleigh he will fly to Pittsburgh and Reading in Pennsylvania before finishing his day in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Meanwhile, Harris will spend her day trekking to three cities across Pennsylvania – Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Allentown – as she makes a last-ditch effort to court voters in the most lucrative of the electoral college swing state votes.