Some top Democrats predicted Trump would back off his Mexico tariff threat

The tariff-averting agreement the U.S. and Mexico announced on Friday night doesn't appear to have many new elements or enforcement mechanisms, but it was a win-win in that both President Trump and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador are declaring victory.
At the same time, Trump tweeted several aggrieved defenses of the deal before heading to his golf course in Virginia on Sunday, and members of his administration insisted on Sunday talk shows that Mexico agreed to new immigration measures in the deal and that Trump's tariff threats, which frayed ties with congressional Republicans, forced Mexico to hasten or commit to things it had been reluctant to put to paper.
The 5 percent tax on Mexican imports, rising incrementally to 25 percent, would have been economically painful for U.S. consumers, especially in key states that voted for Trump, notably Texas. So not everyone was convinced Trump would actually follow through with his threat.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
And Schumer did predict Trump would balk, on the Senate floor on June 4 — there's video. On Sunday, Schumer reiterated his belief that Trump's "bogus 'deal' Mexico volunteered to do months ago" follows his "bogus tariff threat even GOP in Congress rejected." And he wasn't the only Democrat who predicted Trump would find a way to declare victory. "Bet your bottom dollar, Trump will back off by the weekend," tweeted Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) on June 7, hours before the late-night deal was announced. "Just another bluff!"
It's worth noting that Mexico took Trump's threat seriously enough to send up a delegation soon after Trump threatened the new tariffs. And unlike Democrats, Mexican officials are being careful not to contradict Trump in public on the agreement. "They're just trying to say anything to come out of the mess," Ken Smith Ramos, a former top Mexican trade negotiator, tells Politico.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
How Canadian tariffs could impact tourism to the US
In the Spotlight Canadians represent the largest group of foreign visitors to the United States. But they may soon stop visiting.
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Entitlements: DOGE goes after Social Security
Feature Elon Musk is pushing false claims about Social Security fraud
By The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Amazon Bond
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
Crafting emporium Joann is going out of business
Speed Read The 82-year-old fabric and crafts store will be closing all 800 of its stores
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
What are reciprocal tariffs and how do they work?
The Explainer And will they fix America's trade deficit?
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Trade wars, explained
The Explainer Free trade is almost always good for any economy – so why is it so unpopular?
By The Week UK Published
-
Trump's China tariffs start after Canada, Mexico pauses
Speed Read The president paused his tariffs on America's closest neighbors after speaking to their leaders, but his import tax on Chinese goods has taken effect
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Pros and cons of tariffs
Pros and Cons Mainstream economists are 'generally sceptical' levies on imports can protect domestic industries and promote prosperity
By The Week UK Published
-
Chinese AI chatbot's rise slams US tech stocks
Speed Read The sudden popularity of a new AI chatbot from Chinese startup DeepSeek has sent U.S. tech stocks tumbling
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US port strike averted with tentative labor deal
Speed Read The strike could have shut down major ports from Texas to Maine
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden expected to block Japanese bid for US Steel
Speed Read The president is blocking the $14 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japan's Nippon Steel, citing national security concerns
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published