As for what those conversations might look like Alan Deardorff, an international economics professor at the University of Michigan, said they’ll likely be focused on tightening the border.
“I don't think they necessarily have to clamp down instantly, and so that we observe zero migration or zero fentanyl crossing the border,” he said, referring to Canada and Mexico.
“Just persuade him, that they will take action sufficiently. He is subject to that, I mean, he likes to make deals. So, if he can point to a deal, he'll be happy with that,” Deardorff added.
The economist also said retaliatory tariffs, of the sort Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum is mulling over, likely wouldn’t hurt America much.
“The U.S. import so much more from Mexico than they import from us,” he said. “A tariff by them, I don't think, would stop Trump and it would mainly just hurt them. I think it hurt us a little bit but, but I don't think it would at all be effective.”
