Mexico’s President Strongly Criticizes Trump’s Tariff Proposal
On Tuesday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a strong rebuke to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed 25% tariff on goods imported from Canada and Mexico. She described the idea as a harmful distraction from the real issues of drug trafficking and mass migration.
“Threats or tariffs will not solve the problems of migration and drug consumption in the United States,” Sheinbaum stated in a letter addressed to Trump. She emphasized the need for cooperation and mutual understanding to effectively address these critical issues.
Sheinbaum also cautioned that if Trump were to implement his tariff threat, Mexico would react reciprocally, potentially endangering bilateral economic activities. She echoed economic experts’ worries that such broad tariffs could lead to increased consumer prices, job cuts, and a harmful trade war. There’s already concern from U.S. companies that they might need to increase prices for consumers to offset the costs of the tariffs.
“Key Mexican exporters to the U.S. include General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford Motor Company, which have been established in Mexico for 80 years,” Sheinbaum noted. “Imposing a tariff that could threaten these firms is not only unacceptable but could also lead to inflation and job losses in both countries.”
“Tragically, it is in our country that lives are lost to the violence resulting from meeting the drug demand in yours.”
Sheinbaum’s comments were made public shortly after Trump used his platform on Truth Social to dramatically describe a so-called “unstoppable” migrant “caravan coming from Mexico.”
Trump declared his intention to “sign all necessary documents to impose a 25% Tariff on ALL products entering the United States from Mexico and Canada,” maintaining such tariffs until the flow of migrants and drugs, specifically fentanyl, into the U.S. is stopped by these nations.
“Both Mexico and Canada have the power to easily rectify this long-standing issue,” Trump claimed in his post. “We demand they act on this power, and until they do, they should be prepared to face a substantial penalty!”
In her retort, Sheinbaum pointed out that Trump might not realize that Mexico has implemented a detailed policy to aid migrants traversing Mexico towards the U.S. southern border. She highlighted that this approach has significantly reduced migrant encounters at the border over the last year.
“As a result, migrant caravans no longer reach the border,” she stated. “However, it’s evident that we need to collaborate on creating a new model for labor mobility that your country needs, and to tackle the root causes that force families to leave their homes out of necessity.”
Sheinbaum suggested that reallocating even a fraction of the U.S. budget from military to peace and development efforts could address the underlying drivers of human movement.
Furthermore, Sheinbaum reiterated Mexico’s commitment to help prevent fentanyl and weapons from crossing into the U.S. from its borders.
“You should also realize that 70% of illegal firearms recovered from criminals in Mexico originate from the United States,” she continued. “We do not manufacture these weapons, nor do we have a market for synthetic drugs. Unfortunately, it is our people who suffer from the violence linked to satisfying the drug demands in your country.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s response to Trump’s tariff threat was more ambiguous. After a discussion with the U.S. president-elect, Trudeau told journalists, “This is a relationship that requires ongoing effort, and that is what we are committed to doing.”
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