House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy Kevin Owen McCarthyMcCarthy threatens motion to oust Pelosi if she moves forward with impeachment Kate Schroder in Ohio among Democratic challengers squelching GOP hopes for the House McCarthy's Democratic challenger to launch first TV ad highlighting Air Force service as single mother MORE (R-Calif.) called on Senate Republicans to support President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE’s plan to impose tariffs on Mexican exports unless that country does more to try to force action to curb illegal border crossings.

“End of the day we should support the president so we can get an agreement so we don’t have tariffs. Them talking about not supporting him undercuts his ability to do that,” McCarthy, who has emerged as a staunch ally of the White House on Capitol Hill, told reporters Wednesday.

"What I think, is we should we should empower the president to be able to have a strong hand in negotiations," he added. "You don't hear anybody in Mexico, undercutting there at the same time. We should be united so there won't be tariffs and have a strong hand in that negotiation."

Trump announced last week that he would impose a 5 percent tariff on Mexico unless it stepped up its efforts to prevent migrants from illegally entering the U.S. and that the levies could steadily rise to 25 percent if he was dissatisfied with Mexico City’s actions. He said Tuesday the penalties would be imposed next week.

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The plan has roiled Senate Republicans, who have long placed a premium on free trade, particularly with America’s neighbors.

McCarthy’s comments come after a closed-door meeting Tuesday in which Senate Republicans sought to dissuade White House officials from enacting the tariffs.

Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzCruz blocks amended resolution honoring Ginsburg over language about her dying wish Trump argues full Supreme Court needed to settle potential election disputes Press: Notorious RBG vs Notorious GOP MORE (R-Texas), who attended the meeting, told reporters “there was deep concern expressed in the lunch about the prospects of tariffs with Mexico.”

“I think it's fair to say ... that every senator who spoke, and there were probably a half-dozen, generally had the same point of view. Nobody was supportive, who spoke,” added a second GOP lawmaker.

Updated at 1:18 p.m.