GOP Strategist: 'We Don't Want to Put Tariffs on Our Allies'

Republican strategist Lauren Claffey called President Donald Trump’s planned tariffs on Mexico “not a viable solution” on immigration.

Claffey made her remarks during a Wednesday interview on Hill.TV. She said Trump needs to work with lawmakers on an immigration solution.

"Ultimately, we are responsible for our immigration problem and so Trump needs to work with Congress to reform the laws,” said Claffey, a managing director at Hamilton Place Strategies.

“He’s failed a couple of times on actually getting Congress to move on this and that’s where he needs to be putting his effort. Putting this on Mexico that they’re going to somehow stem the migration from Central America and stop any people for us from coming into the country is just not a viable solution.”

She cautioned Trump about following through with his tariff threats.

"If that was the sole goal of this — scare them, bringing them to the table, maybe it was successful,” she said. “But we don’t want to put tariffs on our allies, and especially Mexico, their economy and businesses are too intrinsically tied to the United States.”

Trump has vowed to impose a first round of tariffs on all Mexican imports next week if Mexico does not curb the flow of mostly Central American migrants seeking entry into the U.S.

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