After both leaders had different readings of the phone conversation, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum aimed to explain things to US President-elect Donald Trump. According to Trump, Sheinbaum “agreed to stop migration through Mexico and into the United States, effectively closing our southern border.”
Sheinbaum responded, “I reiterated Mexico’s position, which is not to close borders but rather to build bridges between governments and people.” She underlined that Mexico does not intend to close its borders.
Why Does Trump Threaten Tariffs?
The call followed Trump’s declaration on Monday that a broad tariff package would take effect upon his inauguration. Under the levies, goods from Mexico and Canada would pay a 25% charge and 10% on Chinese imports. Declaring the taxes would only be dropped after these problems were fixed, Trump connected the tariffs to combating illegal immigration and drug trafficking into the United States.
Sheinbaum objected right away to Trump’s declaration. On Wednesday, she said, “If there are US tariffs, Mexico would also raise tariffs,” indicating Mexico’s reprisal preparedness. She pointed out that the proposed tariffs go against the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a trade deal Trump personally signed during his first presidency in 2018.
How did drug traffic and immigration shape the debate?
Sheinbaum explained that taxes were not a significant focus of her phone conversation with Trump. Instead, they spoke of immigration and fentanyl trafficking—two of Trump’s primary defences for the tariffs.
Saying, “I told him the caravan is not going to reach the northern Mexican border with the US,” Sheinbaum comforted Trump about a migrant caravan he had voiced worries over. Nevertheless, she underlined that Mexico’s strategy is still diplomatic: “It has never been our plan to close the border with the US.”
Sheinbaum said the call was “very amiable” despite early tensions, adding that both leaders decided to “continue our talks.” Declaring, “There is no possibility of a tariff war” between the two countries, she also minimized worries of an economic confrontation.
Why Still a Flashpoint Migration and Trade?
With the subject dominating the 2024 US presidential election, which resulted in Trump’s decisive victory earlier this month, the continuous migration flood into the United States has become a hotspot in US-Mexico ties for years.
Mexico has stepped up its attempts to reduce migration under American pressure, running its biggest-ever crackdown on non-Mexican immigrants. Authorities have been busing and flying immigrants far from the US border to the southernmost parts of the nation.
On the other hand, Trump ran on a pledge to secure the US-Mexico border and viewed the tariff threat as a means of coercion for Mexico into further action.
What is Mexico's stance on weapon smuggling?
While the Trump administration’s demands include migration on drug trafficking, the Mexican government has brought attention to another problem: illegal arms flow from the United States into Mexico.
Sheinbaum declared, “In due time, I will raise the issue of guns with President Trump.”
How is Canada handling Trump's tariff proposals?
Trump’s trade threats have also rattled Canada. He spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau early this week. Trudeau called an emergency meeting on Wednesday night, including provincial and territory leaders, to discuss the possible economic consequences.
A conference synopsis revealed a call to action for Canadian leaders: “Make use of all of their contacts, channels, and abilities to relay important information and messages to Americans and people of influence” about the significantly linked economic and security ties between the US and Canada.
Where US-Mexico Relations Are headed?
The relationship between Mexico and the United States teeters precariously as Sheinbaum and Trump prepare for ongoing conversation. Both leaders must negotiate a terrain full of political, social, and economic pressures, emphasizing the need for diplomacy and cooperation in handling shared difficulties.
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