Washington (CNN) The top trade adviser to President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the threatened tariffs against Mexico "may not have to go into effect" if the country can demonstrate it's taking steps to halt the flow of undocumented migrants across the southern US border.

Peter Navarro's comments to CNN's Jim Sciutto on "Newsroom" came hours ahead of a meeting between top US officials, including Vice President Mike Pence, and Mexico's foreign minister to discuss the tariffs and immigration.

"Right now, the Mexican government makes money off illegal immigration. After the tariffs are put in place, the Mexican government will bear a cost of that. We believe that these tariffs may not have to go into effect precisely because we have the Mexicans' attention," Navarro said. "Vice President Pence will be meeting with them today, Secretary of State Pompeo and (US Trade Representative) Robert Lighthizer. I think let's stay calm and look at the chess board here."

White House officials told CNN on Wednesday that they're not expecting a deal to come out of the meeting between the vice president and Mexico's foreign minister. Instead, one official said, the meeting would be "an opportunity for the Mexican government to show what more they're doing" to avoid the tariff on imports.

The White House officials said that during the meeting on Wednesday, US officials are expected to convey that the President is serious about his threat to impose tariffs.

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