Trump trade battles could spike food prices, help China: former Mexico trade chief

Trade battles being threatened by President Trump would spike food prices, help China and risk key U.S. economic relationships, Mexico's former trade chief said Monday

“I say bring it on," Kenneth Smith Ramos said in a thread on the social platform X in response to a clip of Trump discussing tariffs in the Oval Office.

"25% #tariffs would be a horrible shot in the foot for the #US #economy that relies on hundreds of billions of dollars in #Mexican imports that boost the #competitiveness of its manufacturing sector.”

“Good luck competing with #China if you suspend the USMCA … this would also cause an immediate spike in prices for key agricultural products in the US such as berries, avocados, tomatoes, peppers, citrus, that mostly come from Mexico,” he added.

Smith Ramos was Mexico's lead negotiator for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a trade agreement that Trump signed during his first term in 2020, replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Trump told Fox News in October that he wants to renegotiate that deal.

During his campaign, Trump said he would impose 25 percent on imports on imports from Canada and Mexico on his first day in office.

He has now pushed back that timeline to Feb. 1, and instead issued a memo Monday that directs federal agencies to study U.S. trade relationships with China, Canada and Mexico.

“We are thinking in terms of 25 percent on Mexico and Canada because they’re allowing vast numbers of people … to come in, and fentanyl to come in,” Trump said.

Smith Ramos also said in his thread on X that the U.S. going through with the tariffs would generate "economic disarray in North America," leaving China as the "clear winner."

“Unity and #integration between Mexico, Canada and the US are the only solutions to the economic challenges of our region,” he added.

In a meeting alongside several provincial premiers last week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country would “respond, purposefully, forcefully and resolutely” if the Trump administration implemented tariffs.

“There’s no sugarcoating it,” Trudeau said. “The incoming administration’s proposed tariffs against Canada would harm Americans. It would put American jobs at risk. It would put our collective security at risk.”

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.