Mexican President Rejects Trump's Proposal Of Creating Tariff Revenue Agency

MEXICO CITY, Jan 16 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday expressed her disagreement with the United States (US) President-elect Donald Trump's proposal to create an external revenue service agency to collect tariff income from trading partners, reported Xinhua.

Just days before Trump's inauguration on January 20, Sheinbaum said: "This is something that is not new. He has said it several times, and we... disagree, (but) we respect it."

"There will be time to be able to speak with President Trump's government" once he takes office, Sheinbaum said during her morning press conference.

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On Tuesday, Trump announced his plans to create an external service to collect tariffs, duties, and all other foreign revenue to balance what he describes as the US' unfair trade relationship with partners.

In response, Sheinbaum stressed that the trade agreement between Canada, the US, and Mexico has greatly benefited the US in terms of employment and production and has helped the region compete globally.

"In the case of the North American trade agreement, (between) Mexico, the US, and Canada, we really complement each other. And this region, to the extent that we continue together, will be able to compete better with other regions of the world," she said.

However, Mexico is prepared for potential policy changes, including Trump's threat to begin mass deportations of undocumented migrants, she said.

"We champion the work of Mexicans in the US, who contribute to the Mexican economy but more to the US economy. But, in the event of such a decision (mass deportation) by the US government, we are prepared," said Sheinbaum.  

-- BERNAMA-XINHUA