US and Mexican officials continued to negotiate into Thursday evening in hopes of reaching a deal on immigration enforcement to avert President Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs on Mexican imports.

But the window is quickly closing.

Trump, who was still abroad following D-Day commemorations, faces a Friday deadline to sign an executive order to ensure the tariffs go into effect by Monday, his deadline for Mexico to meet his immigration demands or face a 5% tariff on all exports to the US.



White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a late Thursday afternoon statement that the US “position has not changed, and we are still moving forward with tariffs at this time.”



Minutes later, Vice President Mike Pence echoed that message.

“The President announced 5% tariffs would be imposed on Monday on all goods coming from Mexico. That’s the policy of the United States,” Pence said. “The President said what he means and he means what he says.”



The comments came amid reports that the two sides were nearing a deal to avert the tariffs, ratcheting up the pressure on Mexico to accede to Trump’s demands — though US officials, hoping to avoid a standoff with Republican lawmakers and the potential for economic disruption, were also eager to reach an agreement.



Trump administration officials indicated to CNN on Thursday that the negotiations were yielding progress. One senior administration official said the talks were headed in a “positive” direction, but declined to elaborate on the progress.



Another senior administration official said they want the Mexican government to implement the proposed changes immediately.

Whether the two sides can reach a deal before the tariffs are in motion will entirely depend on Trump, who signaled this week he was “more likely” than not impose the tariffs. And though he’s faced blowback from Senate Republicans, the President appeared emboldened this week by the top Senate Democrats’ suggestion that Trump wouldn’t follow through, tweeting: “No bluff!” Read more

Read also: Couple says they fell ill at Dominican Republic resort where 3 Americans died