Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson says Republicans are united behind President Trump’s tariff threats against Mexico intended to curb illegal immigration.
“We don’t want to see [tariffs] in place long term, nor do I believe President Trump does either,” Sen. Johnson told Fox News Sunday. “He’s using tariffs as leverage in trade negotiations and I think he used them as leverage in this situation brilliantly, quite honestly.”
The president announced Friday that the U.S. and Mexico reached a deal that would reduce the flow of immigrants on the Mexican border, which temporarily averted an increasing 5-percent tariff on Mexican goods.
“There are not the votes to override it,” Sen. Johnson told the Mexican ambassador. “Take that threat very seriously. You know you have to do more.”
The senator said the situation along the border is out of control.
He’s pushing for Congress to change the country’s asylum laws to more efficiently determine those without valid asylum claims.