Mexico-U.S. talk in Washington on US tariff threat

In an effort to defuse rising trade tensions between the United States and Mexico, Mexican Economy Minister Graciela Marquez will meet with US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in Washington today.

Marquez says via Twitter on Sunday that she scheduled the meeting with Ross while both attended the Saturday inauguration of El Salvador President Nayib Bukele.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to slap a five per cent tariff on all Mexican goods starting June 10 if the country fails to stem the flow of migrants and drugs into the US, and gradually raise that tariff to 25 per cent if he remains unsatisfied with the results.

Mexican trade and foreign relations officials have meetings scheduled as well for Wednesday in Washington.