San Antonio leaders criticize Trump’s Mexican tariffs

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – San Antonio leaders have criticized President Trump’s decision to impose a 25 percent tariff on imported goods from Mexico announcement.

A press conference on the issue featured U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, Texas State Senators José Menéndez (SD-26) and Roland Gutierrez (SD-19), and San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Luis Rodriguez.

The press conference took place outside San Antonio city hall.

Castro began the press conference by indicating that Donald Trump’s second term as president has been chaotic and destabilizing for the country.

“Recently, he levied tariffs against Mexico, Canada and China; Our three largest trading partners,” Castro said. “This morning, after the days of chaos that have quickly become so common from this administration, President Trump announced a month-long delay on the 25 percent tariffs that he plans to levy on trade with Mexico.”

Castro indicated that Mexico is Texas’s largest trading partner.

“These tariffs are attacks on the American people. A penalty that hard-working Texans will pay every single day, every time they buy groceries, fill up tanks of gas, or shop at local businesses,” Castro said.

Early estimates indicate that Trump’s proposed tariffs would cost the average American household as much as $1,200/year. Texas is more active in the global economy than most states, Castro said.

“Texas does more trade with other nations than any state in the United States,” Castro continued. “As Texas businesses prepare for the administration’s tariffs on Mexico prices are more likely to go up even faster and higher because of the high volume of cross-border trade.”

Castro pointed out that for many, these tariffs will mean less food on the table, tighter budgets, and less freedom to dream big about the things they want to pursue in life. In addition, businesses will downsize and eventually, jobs will disappear.

“President Trump and his Republican backers say that these tariffs are a way to force other nations to get serious about addressing the fentanyl that flows across our borders. And if our president shows the same level of commitment that would be an honorable role, but instead one of his first acts in office was to pardon the man who operated the largest online marketplace for illegal drugs in the history of the world,” Castro said, adding that these tariffs are dangerous and destructive to everyone.

Castro said the press conference is a call to action for everyone to speak out against the tariffs and the potential harm they can do to not just Texas but to the rest of the country. Senator Roland Gutierrez shared Castro’s sentiment.

“I have yet to hear someone from that White House explain to us how these tariffs are good for business,” Senator Roland Gutierrez said. 

“Yesterday, I was at the grocery store, and I spent over $300 on my groceries for four people. Imagine what it would cost a family of four just trying to make ends meet when these tariffs go into effect, and they are looking at $1,300 or $1,400 a month just for groceries because their produce has gone up so much. These tariffs are going to break families in Texas and force them to work even harder just to make a daily living.”

Editor’s Note: Here is a video recording of the press conference:

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