Texas Representative Henry Cuellar believes that President-elect Donald Trump's proposed tariffs on Mexican goods will compel Mexico to engage in discussions regarding immigration and fentanyl trafficking. Cuellar, whose district borders Mexico, expressed this view during a NewsNation interview on Tuesday.

When asked about his stance on a potential 25% tariff, Cuellar acknowledged Laredo's significance as a major trade port handling a substantial portion of U.S.-Mexico commerce. He views the tariff threat as a negotiating tactic to gain leverage, anticipating Mexico's willingness to come to the table.

While recognizing the potential for retaliatory tariffs from Mexico, Cuellar believes the threat will ultimately facilitate discussions to address immigration and fentanyl concerns. Trump has pledged to implement these tariffs upon his return to office, citing concerns about crime, drugs, and unchecked border crossings.

In a Truth Social post, Trump declared his intent to impose a 25% tariff on all goods from Mexico and Canada as an executive order on January 20th. He emphasized that the tariffs will remain until the flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl, and illegal immigration is halted.

Following Trump's post, reports indicate that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau engaged in a productive conversation with Trump concerning trade and border security. Trump has also targeted China with a separate tariff threat due to the influx of fentanyl from the country.

In response to Trump's proposed tariffs on Chinese goods, the China Daily, a publication affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party, published an editorial criticizing the move and warning of the negative consequences of escalating trade tensions.