US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs on Mexico, citing a widespread outbreak of severe gastrointestinal illness in the United States linked to a parasite found in Mexican lettuce.
The announcement marks a significant escalation in US trade policy, extending the administration's tariff strategy beyond traditional economic metrics to include public health and environmental grievances.
According to German media outlet Welt, US health authorities have traced the illnesses to cases across nine US states.
The administration is holding Mexico responsible for the contamination, using the health crisis as justification for potential trade penalties.
This move follows a pattern of using tariffs as leverage in bilateral disputes, a strategy that has already strained relations with Canada.
The threat against Mexico comes amid ongoing friction with Canada, where Ottawa has responded to previous US tariff threats by unilaterally inaugurating a new border bridge.