Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo signaled a shift in border policy following President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement threatening steep tariffs targeting Canada and Mexico. The announcement, which promised a 25% tariff on all imports from the two countries, was made on Trump’s social media platform and linked to concerns about drug trafficking and illegal immigration.
Sheinbaum addressed the issue during a livestreamed press conference held just hours after Trump’s remarks. The Mexican president stated her intent to write to Trump, advocating for dialogue and mutual cooperation.
NEW: MX President Claudia Sheinbaum scrambles to get in line after Trump vowed to slap 25% tariffs on Mexico, says she has always shown willingness to help fight the fentanyl epidemic.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 26, 2024
It’s remarkable how quickly they get in line.
During a press conference, Sheinbaum said she… pic.twitter.com/eWRcX4AXPA
Sheinbaum, described by ABC News as “a stern leftist ideologue trained in the radical student protest movement,” expressed willingness to engage in discussions but placed responsibility for drug issues squarely on the United States.
The outlet added that she appeared less willing than her jovial predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who struck a deal with Trump in late 2018 in which Mexico agreed to help keep migrants away from the border and accept deported migrants from other countries:
“We negotiate as equals, there is no subordination here, because we are a great nation,” Sheinbaum said, while adding, “I think we are going to reach an agreement.”
But Gabriela Siller, director of economic analysis of the financial group Banco Base, fears the personality clash could escalate things into brinkmanship; Trump clearly hates to lose.
“Trump may have just tossed the threat out there, as he does,” Siller said. “But Mexico’s response, that we’re going to respond to you with tariffs, that will make Trump really impose them.”
It’s not clear how serious Trump’s threat is. The U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement forbids just imposing tariffs on other member countries. And it’s not clear whether the economy could even tolerate sudden levies on imports: Auto plants on both sides of the border rely on each other for parts and components, and some production lines could screech to a halt.
Canada Takes Action, Too
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also reacted swiftly, placing a direct call to Trump to discuss border security concerns. Trudeau reportedly underscored that challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border are much worse.
JUST IN: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau says he had a "good" call with Trump after the president-elect vowed to slap 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 26, 2024
The comment comes as Mexico's president Claudia Sheinbaum also scrambled to contact Trump.
Trudeau not only said the call was good… pic.twitter.com/oVlDp2B8ut
Trump’s tariff threat, part of a broader policy announced ahead of his inauguration, includes a 10% tariff on imports from China, adding to existing sanctions and tariffs already imposed on the country.
In his statement, Trump reaffirmed his stance, saying these tariffs would remain in place until both Canada and Mexico demonstrated control over drug trafficking and illegal immigration along their borders.
The latest developments make it clear that Trump is not wasting time in addressing these difficult issues.
READ NEXT: Far-Left Loons Receive Sentences For Defacing National Archives
As POTUS, all you have to do is stand up to these lesser countries & be a man! Something Biden/Harris were sorely lacking the ability to do.
Good. Maybe this will get heir attention, for a change.
Let’s face it, the Biden administration was remiss in our borders, cartels and especially protecting American interests. Trump has done more in the short time he was elected President, giving the world an indication that he means business regarding our borders and tariffs he will impose to insure he sees cooperation from our southern and northern borders. He does not have a great deal of time, two years of complete control of our Senate and Congress. He learned a great deal the first time he was in office, he saw the Democrats attack and try and destroy his administrations promises to the electorate. He intends to set a pace to success by working harder than any President has during his next four years, God Bless him, lets keep our fingers crossed the Democrats don’t attempt to disrupt him as they did with the Russian collusion attacks.
Seems like years when the Phrases : CHANGE !! TRANSPARECEY !! was promise of the DAY. Looks like we REACHED the PINACLE!!! No denying the fact of (CHANGE ) 70 years old never seen so much change in my whole LIFE ! And the Most important ? ( TRANSPARECEY ). It has been very clear to the WORLD. All our dirty Laundry- lack of UNITY- our Military Weakness- Plus a once a Industrial Country above all. So like so many who Heads have gotten swollen and we will just set back and collect our DUES. Since we are all so RICH, we no longer need to produce items. When you can buy baulk from countries who have to work to LIVE. The one thing that concerns me. A old Nursery RHYME that was told for some reason ??? Henny Penny chicken. Who will help me pick the grain, help make the Bread an so on. Now my wonderment ? no one wants to work or make a effort of PHYSICAL duties. The ending of the RHYME : The LAZY ended up with nothing too eat. I just hope this CHILDISH story has absolutely NO MERIT !! Seems our chickens are laying a lot of FOUL EGGS???