Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump suggested on Thursday that he might enforce tariffs on countries, such as China, if they fail to control the influx of undocumented immigrants into the United States, should he win the US election in November.
Speaking at an event in Arizona, a critical battleground state on the border, Trump responded to an audience question without specifying the exact tariff amounts he would impose.
When asked about strategies to reduce illegal immigration, Trump emphasized the United States’ substantial economic leverage, stating, “We have tremendous economic power.
Trump emphasized that if a country like China does not cooperate in curbing immigration, tariffs could be imposed, asserting, “We have these things called tariffs.”
He cautioned that if other nations don’t assist in reducing immigration, he would consider imposing tariffs, stating, “we have the option to tariff the hell out of that country” if re-elected.
Border security and immigration have become central issues leading up to the November 5 election, where Trump will once again face off against Democrat Joe Biden, the current US President.
This marks Trump’s first campaign event since a Manhattan jury convicted him on May 30 on all 34 counts related to falsifying business records to conceal a payment his former lawyer made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.
Trump denied any wrongdoing and plans to appeal the verdict, dismissing the trial as “rigged.”
Trump criticized Biden’s recent move to impose an asylum ban on migrants caught illegally crossing the US-Mexico border, likening it to policies he implemented during his presidency.
Biden’s executive action, implemented on Tuesday, imposes a broad asylum ban on those caught crossing the border illegally, with exceptions for unaccompanied children, individuals facing serious threats, and trafficking victims.
Trump condemned Biden’s measure as “outrageous,” vowing to rescind it on his first day back in office if re-elected.
He also made unsubstantiated claims about the potential consequences of Biden’s asylum ban, alleging it would allow a minimum of 2 million “illegal alien border crossers” annually.
Despite Trump’s assertions, Biden’s policy aims to reduce attempted crossings, not maintain current levels, with measures to quickly deport or return migrants.
Trump also suggested the possibility of relocating US troops stationed abroad to patrol the southern border.
Biden has pushed for a bipartisan Senate bill to enhance border security, but it was rejected by Republicans following Trump’s opposition.
Kevin Munoz, a spokesperson for the Biden campaign, criticized Trump’s role in blocking bipartisan immigration legislation, accusing him of exploiting a broken immigration system for political gain.
Several attendees at Trump’s event in Phoenix required medical attention for heat exhaustion after waiting in high temperatures for hours.