Nix threat of tariffs on Mex. goods

President Trump on Friday “indefinitely suspended” his plan to impose a 5% tariff on all Mexican products coming into the U.S.

“I am pleased to inform you that The United States of America has reached a signed agreement with Mexico,” Trump tweeted on Friday night.

He said Mexico has agreed to “strong measures” to “stem the tide of Migration” from Mexico into the U.S. “This is being done to greatly reduce, or eliminate, Illegal Immigration,” Trump tweeted.

Trump hinted at the possibility of easing his tariff threat Friday afternoon, when he abruptly suggested there was a “very good chance” of reaching a deal to avoid his threatened 5% impost.

“If we are able to make the deal with Mexico, & there is a good chance that we will, they will begin make the deal with Mexico,” Trump said on Twitter as he flew back to the U.S. from Ireland.

Trump abruptly imposed the tariff threat after complaining Mexico is not doing enough to prevent migrants from Central America reaching the border with the U.S.

A joint declaration released by the State Department on Friday night said the U.S. will expand a program to return asylum-seekers to Mexico while their claims are adjudicated. Mexico will offer jobs and health care to those people, the declaration said.

Mexico also agreed to take “unprecedented steps to increase enforcement to curb irregular migration.”

Trump had warned that, starting Monday, tariffs would rise 5% each month up to 25% if Mexico and the U.S. could not reach a deal.

The threat drew widespread criticism from normally pro-Republican business groups and GOP senators, who fear a trade war could kill the economic boom.

Democrats scoffed at the threat with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) noting that the bombastic Trump often backs down from unpopular proposals.