In brief
Following a phone conversation with Donald Trump, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum clarified her stance against closing borders and emphasized a strategy that respects human rights in response to migration. She also warned of potential retaliation against US tariffs, while Canadian leaders began formulating their response to similar threats.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has pushed back against claims made by President-elect Donald Trump regarding an alleged agreement to halt migration through Mexico to the United States. After a call between the two leaders, Trump took to social media to assert that Sheinbaum had agreed to "stop migration," effectively closing the southern border.Sheinbaum immediately countered Trump’s proclamation, asserting that her commitment was to address migration in a manner that prioritizes human rights, rather than closing borders. "We are focused on building bridges between governments and peoples," she stated, reinforcing Mexico's longstanding position on migration.In an alarming development for international trade, Trump vowed that upon taking office, he would impose a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, alongside a 10% tariff on China, threatening considerable economic repercussions. He stipulated that these tariffs would remain until the US saw a substantial decline in illegal immigration and drug trafficking.Sheinbaum did not shy away from responding to Trump’s tariff threats, suggesting that Mexico would retaliate with equally steep tariffs if provoked. Attending a press conference with Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard, Sheinbaum highlighted the detrimental economic impact of Trump's proposed measures, calling them "a shot in the foot" and potentially violating the USMCA trade agreement which was instated during Trump's previous presidency.While Sheinbaum had initially characterized her conversation with Trump as “excellent," she later clarified that the discussions centered around Mexico's existing migration strategy, taking pains to remind that Mexican efforts are aimed at managing migration responsibly rather than creating barriers.Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convened an emergency session with provincial leaders to discuss a united response to Trump's tariff threats. However, there was visible division, with Alberta's Premier expressing doubts about Trudeau's negotiation capabilities.Illegal immigration became a focal point in the recent electoral cycle, contributing significantly to Trump's campaign and subsequent victory. Under pressure from the US, Mexico has intensified its migrant enforcement tactics, resulting in a significant reduction in migrants reaching the US border. This shift leaves Trump inheriting the lowest number of undocumented migrant apprehensions seen in four years, thereby reshaping the narrative around immigration as he takes office.
