On 12 November 2026, US President Donald Trump threatened to immediately double tariffs on Mexican goods unless the Mexican authorities stopped groups of migrants seeking to enter the United States. This came in response to the appearance of a caravan of around 1,500 people in southern Mexico. However, on 13 November, the country’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, reported that one of the caravans had broken up, whilst the other was still forming.
- On 12 November, Donald Trump threatened to double tariffs on goods from Mexico over the issue of migrants.
- According to Reuters, around 1,500 people have set off from southern Mexico towards the US.
- Trump is demanding an immediate halt to the influx of migrants and is threatening to impose trade restrictions.
- On 13 November, Claudia Sheinbaum stated that there are currently no caravans heading for the US border.
- No information has been provided regarding the actual doubling of duties or the date on which the new rates will come into force.
Trump has issued an ultimatum to Mexico over migrants
On 12 November, the US President posted a message on the social media platform Truth Social in which he stated that large groups of migrants were forming in an attempt to reach the US border.
According to Trump, The United States will not accept these people, and the Mexican authorities must intervene immediately.
«Mexico must stop them now. If it does not, tariffs on Mexico will be doubled immediately», wrote the US President.
He also stated that the Mexican authorities, the Texas state government, the US Border Patrol and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had been informed of his position.
At the same time Trump He did not specify which customs duties might be doubled, which goods would be subject to the restrictions, or how much time he was giving the Mexican authorities to comply with the demand.
What is known about the caravan of 1,500 migrants
According to Reuters, on 10 November, around 1,500 people, mainly from Central American countries, set off from the city of Tapachula in southern Mexico, near the border with Guatemala.
Some of the participants hoped that a Democratic Party victory in the US mid-term congressional elections might lead to a softening of US immigration policy and the creation of new opportunities for legal residence and work.
At the same time, representatives migrants It was reported that they initially planned to travel to Mexico City to seek help from the Mexican authorities.
The caravan formed against a backdrop of tighter immigration controls in the US. The Trump administration is continuing its policy of curbing illegal border crossings and deporting people who have no legal grounds to remain in the country.
Mexico has denied claims that caravans are heading for the border
President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum stated that since Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025, not a single migrant caravan has reached the country’s northern border.
On 12 November, she reported that a group of around 600 migrants in the state of Chiapas had largely dispersed following explanations about the difficulties of entering the US.
On Friday, 13 November, Sheinbaum clarified that there are two migrant caravans in Mexico: one has come to a halt, and most of its participants have already returned to their countries of origin; the other is only just beginning to form.
«At present, there are no caravans travelling through our country towards the US border», — emphasised the Mexican president.
She also ruled out the use of force to disperse the migrant caravans, noting that the authorities are working with the migrants and helping them to return home or regularise their stay in Mexico.
Have the US raised tariffs on Mexican goods?
Trump’s threats were made during trade talks between Washington and Mexico City. The countries are discussing the future terms of their cooperation following the start of the review of the USMCA, which governs trade between the US, Mexico and Canada.
According to the Associated Press, Mexico is seeking a reduction in US tariffs, specifically the 10 per cent tariff on goods not covered by the trade agreement and the 25 per cent tariff on medium and heavy goods vehicles. The negotiations also concern the 50 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium.
13 November, the US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent stated that he was optimistic about the prospects of concluding trade agreements with Mexico and Canada, but did not provide any details.
As of 13 November, Trump’s threat remains a political statement. No official decision to double tariffs has been announced, and Mexico denies that migrant caravans are currently approaching the US border.
