Washington, June 5 (RHC)-- Mexican officials are staying on in Washington, DC for talks with the Trump administration avert recent threats to impose a 5% tariff -- which would increase every month by 5% -- on all imported goods, over what the White House claims is Mexico’s failure to stem the flow of Central American migrants into the United States.

Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard told reporter: “Slapping tariffs, along with the decision to cancel the aid programs to the northern Central American countries, could have a counterproductive effect and would not reduce the migration flows.  Tariffs could cause financial and economic instability, which means that Mexico could reduce its capacity to address migration flows and to offer alternatives to the new migrants who have recently arrived in Mexico.”

The Washington Post is reporting Republican lawmakers are contemplating a vote to block Trump’s new tariffs on Mexico, fearing the move will result in tax increases in the United States.  Lawmakers from both parties warn that the move would put the upcoming trade deal known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, in jeopardy.