US President Donald Trump has warned his administration will impose tariffs over a major outbreak of an ‘explosive diarrhea’ parasite potentially linked to lettuce from Mexico.
In a press briefing at the White House, the President said: ‘I think what we are going to do is put a major tariff on Mexico because of the lettuce.’
Trump weighed in as cases of cyclosporiasis soared to 11,000 across 41 states, leaving public health officials scrambling to find the cause.
The President also reiterated his threat to put major tariffs on Canada after wildfires left much of the northern US covered in toxic smoke.
Health officials have suggested that cases of the parasite, a disease transmitted by food or water contaminated with human feces, may be linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms that was sent to Taco Bell restaurants in nine states.
Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania are also now suggested to be affected, alongside Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.
Tests on lettuce from Taylor Farms’ manufacturing facility in Mexico have returned a false positive, however, a voluntary recall of the products is still in place.
The business temporarily closed its Central Mexico site on Thursday.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr claimed on Tuesday that the outbreak was ‘under control.’
The FDA said Wednesday it was tracking another outbreak of the parasite that has sickened 72 people, in a separate cluster from the one sickening thousands and potentially linked to lettuce.
