Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president, introduced on Thursday that if he got re-elected, he might enforce tariffs on nations like China if they fail to control the inrush of illegal immigrants into the US.
Trump stated this during an event in Arizona, a key state in the border election, in response to an audience query. However, he didn’t specify the exact tariff amount he would implement in this situation.
When questioned about strategies to reduce the influx of migrants entering the US unlawfully, Trump responded, ‘We have tremendous economic power.’ He added that if a nation, like China, fails to assist in controlling immigration into the US, ‘we have these things called tariffs’.
Trump cautioned that if other nations don’t assist in reducing it, he could,’tariff the hell out of that country’ if re-elected
Border security and immigration have become key issues for Americans as the November 5 election approaches, where Trump will once again compete against President Joe Biden, a Democrat, in a rematch of their 2020 White House battle.
The majority of individuals illegally crossing into the US are from Latin America. US government data reveals that between October 1, 2023, and April 30, 2024, the US Border Patrol detained over 26,000+ Chinese migrants attempting to cross the border with Mexico, marking a significant increase in Chinese arrivals.
It was Trump’s first campaign event since a Manhattan jury on May 30 found him guilty on all 34 counts he faced of falsifying business records to cover up a $130,000 (approx Rs 1.08 crore) payment his former lawyer Michael Cohen made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election for her silence about a sexual encounter she says they had.
Trump has denied any lawlessness and vowed to appeal the verdict. He called the trial as ‘rigged’ during Thursday’s remarks.
Trump criticized Biden’s latest effort to restrain illegal crossings at the southern border of US, which includes an asylum ban similar to restrictions Trump attempted to implement during his presidency.
Biden took executive action on Tuesday, instituting a broad asylum ban on migrants caught illegally crossing the US-Mexico border.
Trump said Biden’s new plan was ‘outrageous’ and a concession of ‘death and defeat’ at the border, despite it mirroring Trump-era policies to deter would-be migrants.
Biden has strengthen his approach to border security as immigration has become a major political issue for him.
Also Read: US Responds Firmly As China Objects To Modi’s Interaction With Taiwan President
Trump made a hardline stance on immigration a centerpiece of his administration and has vowed a wide-ranging crackdown if re-elected.
Under Biden’s order, migrants caught crossing illegally could be quickly deported or turned back to Mexico under the measure, which took effect on Wednesday.
Exceptions exist for unaccompanied children, individuals confronting significant medical or safety risks, and victims of trafficking, as stated by the US Department of Homeland Security.
During a rally in Phoenix, Trump criticized Biden’s policy, prompting chants of agreement from his supportive audience. Trump pledged to overturn Biden’s policy on his first day back in office if re-elected.
Donald Trump alleged, without substantiation, that Biden’s asylum restrictions would permit at least two million ‘illegal alien border crossers’ annually into the US.
When questioned about the basis for this claim, Trump’s campaign did not immediately provide a response.
In the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, the US Border Patrol apprehended approximately two million migrants crossing unlawfully, with similar figures recorded this year. However, Biden’s recent action aims to decrease attempted border crossings, rather than maintain current levels.
Donald Trump additionally proposed the possibility of redeploying US troops stationed overseas to patrol the southern border.
Also Read: 4 Indian Students Lose Lives In St. Petersburg Drowning, Repatriation Process Initiated
Despite Biden’s efforts to promote a Senate bill bolstering border security, crafted by a bipartisan group, Republicans rejected it following Trump’s opposition.
Kevin Munoz, a spokesperson for the Biden campaign, accused Trump of obstructing bipartisan border legislation, alleging that Trump’s motives were politically motivated. Munoz contended that Trump’s role in derailing the bill enables him to assert that the immigration system is ‘broken’.
Numerous individuals were observed being evacuated on stretchers from Trump’s event due to heat exhaustion, after enduring lengthy queues in temperatures nearing 43 degrees Celsius.
