US President Donald Trump on Thursday, November 12, threatened to immediately double tariffs on Mexico if the country failed to stop more than 1,000 migrants travelling north through its territory towards the United States.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump warned that the migrants would not be allowed to enter the United States and demanded immediate action from the Mexican government.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Trump threatened to immediately double tariffs on Mexican goods.
Around 1,500 migrants began travelling north from Tapachula on November 10.
Most members of the group were from Central America.
Sheinbaum said no migrant caravan had reached the US border since January 2025.
Mexico is encouraging migrants to return to their countries of origin.
Sheinbaum ruled out the use of force against migrant groups.
The threat followed the movement of an estimated 1,500 migrants, mostly from Central America, who began travelling north on Tuesday from Tapachula, a city in southern Mexico near the Guatemalan border.
The group reportedly hoped that the Democratic Party's victory in the recent US midterm elections could create more opportunities for migrants to live and work in the United States.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged that migrant groups were moving north through the country. However, she said no migrant caravan had reached the US border since Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The threat links immigration enforcement with trade relations between the United States and Mexico. Any escalation in tariffs could affect bilateral trade and add pressure to ongoing negotiations between the two countries.
Addressing her regular press conference on Thursday, Sheinbaum said migrants had been informed about the difficulties of entering the United States. She added that Mexican authorities were seeking to encourage them to return to their countries of origin.
Sheinbaum also ruled out the use of force against the migrants, saying there would be no acts of repression.
Separately, she said a group of approximately 600 migrants in the southern state of Chiapas had largely dispersed after being informed about the difficulties of reaching the United States. Mexican authorities were also speaking with several hundred Honduran migrants about returning home.
The tariff threat comes as Washington and Mexico City continue trade negotiations, including discussions on duties affecting Mexican products and a review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
The latest warning adds to tensions between the two neighbouring countries over immigration management and trade relations.
