Mexico's President, Claudia Sheinbaum, recently engaged in discussions with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, focusing on migration, social programs, and North American trade relations. During a Thursday press briefing at the National Palace, Sheinbaum confidently stated, "There won't be a potential tariff war."
This comment was in response to Trump's threats of imposing a 25% tax on Mexican goods unless migration issues and fentanyl trafficking are addressed. "The migrant caravan he was worried about won't reach the northern border because we have a strategy to handle this matter within our country," Sheinbaum explained.
Sheinbaum also dispelled concerns about a rumored Chinese automotive plant in Mexico, which had raised alarms in Washington and Ottawa. Addressing the fentanyl trafficking issue, she mentioned that Trump sought Mexico's guidance to tackle this crisis in the United States. "He inquired about the humanitarian crisis from fentanyl consumption happening in the U.S. and asked if Mexico faced similar issues. I told him it's minimal," Sheinbaum noted.
Factors Behind Low Fentanyl Consumption in Mexico
She attributed Mexico's reportedly low fentanyl usage to two primary reasons. First, Mexican families tend to take care of each other diligently. Second, President López Obrador launched an extensive communication campaign titled "Fentanyl Kills," which they claim was highly effective.
Sheinbaum confirmed that the anti-drug campaign's framework has been sent to Trump's team for evaluation and potential adaptation to the U.S. environment. While attending the G20 summit in Brazil, she emphasized that, despite Mexico's cordial relations with China, her administration remains committed to strengthening ties with the United States and Canada under the USMCA framework. "Our goal is to maintain diverse relations while always prioritizing formal trade agreements and our strategic alliances in North America," she remarked.
Trump's Stance and Biden's Concerns
Donald Trump also commented on his discussions with Sheinbaum, softening his stance on the tariff war but not completely abandoning the idea. In a post on Truth Social, he expressed confidence that Mexico's efforts to prevent migrants from reaching the border "will greatly help in stopping illegal invasion into the U.S."
Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden urged Trump to reconsider his tariff stance with Mexico and Canada, warning, "The last thing we need is to start damaging those relationships." Biden labeled Trump's threats as "counterproductive" and expressed hope that the incoming president would reevaluate this approach when he takes office in January 2025.