The Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, stated that if he wins the November U.S. elections, he may impose tariffs on countries that do not restrain illegal immigration into the United States, specifically mentioning China.
During a campaign event in Arizona on Thursday, June 6th, Trump was asked about how to stem illegal immigration into the U.S. He said, “We have tremendous economic power.” He mentioned that if countries like China do not help in curbing illegal immigration into the U.S., “we will take tariff action.”
He warned that if other countries do not assist in reducing illegal immigration into the U.S., if elected, he might “impose significant tariffs on that country.”
Border security and illegal immigration have become the top issues facing the United States in the lead-up to the November 5th U.S. elections.
While most illegal immigrants come from Latin American countries, the number of illegal border crossers from China has seen a sharp increase. According to U.S. government data, from October 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024, U.S. Border Patrol apprehended over 27,000 Chinese illegal immigrants who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border.
Since the Manhattan jury ruled in favor of 34 charges against Trump on May 30th, this was his first participation in a campaign event.
On Tuesday, June 4th, Biden announced that he would take executive actions to implement extensive asylum bans for illegal border crossers. As illegal immigration has become a major political issue for the Biden administration, Biden’s stance on border security is becoming more stringent.
According to Biden’s order, immigrants arrested for illegal border crossings may be swiftly deported or sent back to Mexico, a measure that came into effect on Wednesday, June 5th.
However, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that unaccompanied minors, those facing serious medical or safety threats, and victims of human trafficking are exceptions.
Trump expressed outrage over Biden’s new measures, calling them a concession to “death and failure” at the border.
He referred to Biden’s actions as “bullshit,” prompting the audience in Phoenix to shout “bullshit.” Trump stated that if re-elected, he would reverse Biden’s measures on his first day in office and undertake a massive crackdown on illegal immigrants.
Trump claimed that Biden’s asylum ban would allow at least 2 million “illegal alien border crossers” to enter the United States annually.
As of the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2023, U.S. Border Patrol arrested about 2 million illegal border crossers, a similar number to this year. Biden’s new measures aim to reduce the number of border crossers rather than maintain the current level.
Trump mentioned that he could bring back U.S. troops stationed abroad to patrol the southern border.
For months, Biden has been pushing for a bipartisan bill to strengthen border security in the Senate, but has not been successful, as Republicans have rejected the legislation.