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NEW YORK, May 31-- U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to slap sweeping tariffs on Mexican imports has drawn wide opposition and criticism, even from his close aides, as many fear the new tariffs, instead of a silver bullet to immigration problems, will end up with higher commodity prices for U.S. consumers and jeopardize the passage of a trade deal between the United States, Mexico and Canada. Trump said on Thursday he would impose a 5-percent tariff on all imported Mexican goods beginning June 10 so as to pressure the country to halt undocumented migrants crossing the border, and will gradually increase tariffs until the problem is remedied. WRONG CONFLATION OF TRADE AND BORDER Objections to Trump's use of tariffs are swift and wide-ranging. "Trade policy and border security are separate issues. This is a misuse of presidential tariff authority and counter to congressional intent," said Republican senator Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. "Imposing tariffs on goods from Mexico is exactly the wrong move. These tariffs will be paid by American families and businesses without doing a thing to solve the very real problems at the border," said Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Trump's surprise decision is said to have unnerved his close aides. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer did not support the levy of tariffs on Mexico, according to CNBC, which also disclosed that the move is spearheaded by the president's senior adviser Stephen Miller, known for his hardline immigration stance. | 
