Washington (AFP)

Mexico on Tuesday insisted on the possibility of an agreement to avoid the tariffs that Donald Trump wants to impose on Mexican imports, but without weakening the US president who called again to stop the "invasion" of migrants.

In turn, Mexican and American leaders expressed different sensitivities Tuesday, on the eve of a crucial meeting in Washington between the head of the Mexican diplomacy Marcelo Ebrard and his American counterpart Mike Pompeo.

"I think we have an 80% chance of reaching an agreement" and 20%, perhaps, that it is difficult to reach an agreement at this stage, Marcelo Ebrard said Tuesday during a conference in Washington.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he was ready to speak directly with Donald Trump "if necessary".

The Republican billionaire created a surprise last week by linking the trade and immigration files.

He announced that the United States would apply from June 10 a 5% tax to all goods from Mexico, which could gradually increase to 25% on October 1 if its southern neighbor failed to reduce drastically the flow of Central American migrants en route to the United States.

- Risks for the economy -

The two countries have until Sunday evening to agree if they want to avoid an escalation that worries the economic circles of both countries and shakes the markets.

Mexico hopes to find "a point of rapprochement" with the United States but also stands "ready" if negotiations fail, said Ebrard, suggesting that retaliation was being considered.

At this point, the US president is siding with his positions and has reiterated his warnings from London where he is making a state visit.

Judging "unacceptable" that "millions of people" cross the border separating Mexico from the United States, he showered the hopes of a quick resolution by pointing out that customs taxes would "probably come into effect" next week despite these negotiations .

Mexico "should do more to stop (...) this invasion of our country," he added.

US authorities seem overwhelmed by the influx of migrants from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras who are seeking to enter the United States after crossing Mexico. The US border police currently call 100,000 migrants each month.

But US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has warned of this multiplication of the fronts of the trade war, against China and Mexico.

"We are watching closely the impact that developments (in this area) can have on the growth prospects of the US economy and, as always, we will act to support the expansion," he said. in a speech in Chicago.

- Doubts of the Congress -

In the US Congress also the initiative of Donald Trump irritates in the ranks Republicans, a party traditionally opposed to protectionist measures. To the point that some elected officials would think of organizing a vote to block it, according to the Washington Post, which would be a violent snub for the Republican president.

When asked about this point in London, Donald Trump said it would be "foolish" for Republicans to vote against him, recalling that he enjoyed immense popularity with the party base, more than 90%.

Pending the meeting between Marcelo Ebrard and Mike Pompeo Wednesday at the US State Department, the Mexican delegation in Washington since the beginning of the week multiplies the contacts.

The US Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer on Tuesday receives a senior official of the Mexican delegation, Jesus Seade, said Ebrard.

The two men negotiated together the new Free Trade Agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada (AEUMC), whose ratification could be affected by these tensions between the two countries.

? 2019 AFP