RioPlex Member Responds to Proposed Tariff on Mexican Imports

By Staff Report

In response to President-elect Donald Trump’s announced plan to impose a 25 percent tariff on Mexican imports, the RioPlex Initiative has expressed concern over the potential economic consequences of such a policy.

“The RioPlex Initiative appreciates the intent by President-elect Donald Trump to aggressively confront the scourge of illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl, from entering our country through Mexico,” said Joaquin Spamer Martinez Del Camp, a founding member of the initiative, in a statement. “But we urge caution in mixing border security with border trade.”

Martinez Del Camp emphasized the importance of trade relations with Mexico, highlighting the country’s role as the United States’ largest trading partner and a key supplier of fruit to the U.S., much of which enters through the Rio Grande Valley.

“To disrupt this relationship would not only be a potential violation of the USMCA trade agreement that President-elect Trump skillfully negotiated during his first term, but it could negatively impact the fledgling regional effort of RioPlex and, ultimately, our economy,” Martinez Del Camp added.

The RioPlex Initiative is focused on fostering regional economic growth in the Rio Grande Valley area, which relies heavily on cross-border commerce with Mexico.

Source – RioPlex Initiative