Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth threatened Mexico with unspecified “unilateral action” in a call last month with the country’s leadership, according to a report.
The Wall Street Journal (paywall), citing sources briefed on discussions during the Jan. 31 call, on Friday wrote that the alleged threat stemmed from U.S. concerns over the Mexican government’s alleged links with drug cartels.
The report described the reaction of unidentified members of Mexico’s leadership – shocked and angry – sparking fears that Hegseth meant that the U.S. military might conduct an operation inside Mexico.
Defense officials, the Wall Street Journal said, offered no comment on the call.
The publication noted, however, that in trips to the southern border and Guantanamo Bay, Hegseth repeated that the U.S. is “taking nothing off the table” when it comes to dealing with Mexico.
Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), joined two two dozen members of Congress, including two San Diego Democrats, Sara Jacobs and Juan Vargas, in introducing a resolution condemning “any call for U.S. military action in Mexico without authorization from the U.S. Congress and the consent of the Mexican government.”
A news release from Castro’s office regarding the resolution noted the “rise in belligerent rhetoric about Mexico from Trump and high-ranking officials within his administration.”
The meeting between Hegseth and the unnamed Mexican officials took place against the backdrop of ongoing haggling with Mexico over immigration and tariffs, which President Donald Trump said this week would take effect Tuesday.
The tariffs also would target Canada, following Trump’s decision on Feb. 3 to wait 30 days before imposing taxes on imports from the countries.
Reuters also reported Friday that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had said that Mexico is willing to join the U.S. in placing tariffs on Chinese goods.
He went further, Reuters reported, telling Bloomberg TV that it “would be a nice gesture if the Canadians did it also.”
Trump moved forward with a 10% tariff on Chinese imports last month, but already is seeking to double it.
China responded to a query from Reuters, decrying the “pressuring, coercion and threat” that has been part of trade talks. “Mutual respect is the basic prerequisite,” spokesperson Liu Pengyu told Reuters.
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