President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Mexico in response to a significant outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic illness linked to iceberg lettuce. The President announced the potential trade measure during a White House press briefing, stating, "I think what we are going to do is we are going to put a major tariff on Mexico because of the lettuce."
This statement comes as the number of cyclosporiasis cases has climbed to 11,000 across 41 states, prompting public health officials to investigate the source of the outbreak. The illness is often associated with contaminated produce.
Trump also referenced a previous threat made six days prior to impose substantial tariffs on Canada. This earlier threat was in response to wildfires that caused widespread smoke to cover parts of the northern United States.