Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and President-elect Donald J. Trump had a positive conversation about migration issues on Wednesday. While Trump suggested that Mexico had agreed to stop migration to the US, Sheinbaum clarified that they had discussed migrant caravans no longer reaching the border. She also mentioned that Mexico would impose retaliatory tariffs if necessary.
Trump had previously threatened a 25 percent tariff on goods from Mexico unless they addressed migration and drug issues. This raised concerns about the impact on Mexico’s economy, which heavily relies on trade with the US. Despite these tensions, both leaders described their conversation as productive and mentioned plans to address drug trafficking.
Sheinbaum’s government and Mexico’s governing party expressed support for retaliatory tariffs against the US if necessary. Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard warned that such tariffs could lead to job losses in the US and called it a “shot in the foot.” Sheinbaum and Trump focused their conversation on collaboration on security issues and preventing fentanyl consumption.
Sheinbaum’s positive description of the conversation with Trump seems to suggest a desire to ease tensions and find common ground on migration and security issues. However, the threat of tariffs still looms if the US takes action against Mexico. The implications of this ongoing dialogue on trade relations between the two countries remain to be seen.
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