The US president said that imposing tariffs on his neighbours and “allies” would be “counterproductive”, so he asked Trump to reconsider the idea.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday called for his country's relationship with its partners Mexico and Canada not to be damaged, after President-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose 25 percent tariffs on those countries when he takes office in January if certain requirements are not met.

"We're surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean and two allies, Mexico and Canada. The last thing we need to do is start ruining those relationships," Biden told reporters when asked about Trump's tariff plans during a visit to a fire station over the Thanksgiving holiday. "It's counterproductive," the outgoing president said.

Biden said he hopes Trump will "reconsider" the project when he takes office in late January.

The future president threatened last Monday to impose customs duties of 25 percent on all goods that Mexico exports to the United States if the second government of Claudia Sheinbaum does not stop the flow of irregular migrants and drug trafficking across the common border. The warning also included Canada, the third partner in the North American free trade agreement T-MEC.

Tariff war ruled out?

During the campaign, Trump presented tariffs as a pillar of his economic policy. The idea is intended to finance a tax cut, encourage companies to set up shop in the United States and use customs duties as a bargaining chip for future trade negotiations.

On Tuesday, Mexico's president sent a letter to the tycoon warning him that migration and drug use are not resolved "with threats" and that if the United States imposes tariffs, Mexico would take a similar measure. But on Thursday, after a phone call with Trump, she ruled out a "tariff war" with the United States.