Trump defends Mexico deal amidst criticism

US President Donald Trump continues to staunchly defend his deal with Mexico, wherein he backed off from a threat of 5% tariffs in return for Mexico promising to control the flow of immigrants from the southern border. Experts had cautioned Trump against the cuts, saying that it would push consumer prices up, and also compromise on the ratification of the USMCA. Mexico has agreed to boost a controversial asylum programme and deploy security personnel at the border.

Pascal Lamy, a former director-general of WTO, told Reuters that Trump’s actions were against the spirit of international diplomacy. He added, “My reaction is it seems that hostage-taking works. That’s my reaction.”