Tensions are escalating between Mexico and the United States after President-elect Donald Trump claimed that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to stop migration to the U.S. border. Sheinbaum swiftly contradicted Trump’s statement, asserting Mexico’s commitment to addressing migration while upholding human rights.
In a social media post following their phone conversation on Wednesday, Trump announced, “She [Sheinbaum] has agreed to stop Migration through Mexico, and into the United States, effectively closing our Southern Border.” However, Sheinbaum countered, reiterating Mexico’s stance against closing borders and emphasizing a collaborative approach to migration.
“We discussed Mexico’s strategy on the migration phenomenon and I shared that [migrant] caravans are not arriving at the northern border because they are being taken care of in Mexico,” Sheinbaum stated on X. She later added, “We reiterate that Mexico’s position is not to close borders but to build bridges between governments and peoples.”
The contentious exchange has been overshadowed by Trump’s renewed threats of sweeping tariffs on Mexico and Canada, as well as China, upon his inauguration in January 2025. Trump vowed to impose a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada until illegal immigration and drug trafficking into the U.S. cease. Additionally, a 10% tariff on China is aimed at combating fentanyl smuggling, a key campaign promise.
Mexico’s Retaliatory Measures
In response to Trump’s tariff threats, Sheinbaum vowed that Mexico would retaliate in kind if a trade war ensued. “If there are U.S. tariffs, Mexico would also raise tariffs,” she said at a press conference, where she was joined by Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard. Ebrard criticized Trump’s proposed duties as a breach of the USMCA trade agreement signed in 2018 during Trump’s previous presidency.
Ebrard warned that the tariffs would harm regional economic integration. “It’s a shot in the foot,” he said, urging greater cooperation among North American countries to address shared challenges like migration and trade.
Canadian Leaders React
Canada, another target of Trump’s tariff threats, is taking its own steps to address the looming economic conflict. On Wednesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convened an emergency meeting with provincial premiers to strategize a united response.
After the meeting, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland stressed the importance of presenting a cohesive national front. However, divisions emerged as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith expressed doubts about Trudeau’s ability to negotiate effectively with Trump, citing their strained relationship.
“I don’t think we should underestimate the personal animus between these two leaders,” Smith said in an interview with CBC. “If he’s not the right person to have at the negotiation table, we need to ensure the right person is.”
Migration at the Forefront
The controversy comes amid heightened focus on migration, a cornerstone of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. Trump’s promise to seal the U.S.-Mexico border resonated with voters, contributing to his decisive electoral victory earlier this month.
Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden had already implemented measures to curtail illegal crossings during the election cycle, addressing a politically fraught issue for Democrats. Under U.S. pressure, Mexico has intensified its own crackdown on migrants, particularly non-Mexican nationals. The measures include relocating migrants to Mexico’s southern border, a tactic that has left many stranded and exhausted.
The practice, described as “internal deportation,” has forced thousands of migrants to abandon their journeys and request repatriation to their home countries.
Global Implications
While Mexico and Canada work to counteract Trump’s aggressive rhetoric, China has yet to formally respond to the proposed 10% tariff targeting fentanyl smuggling. A Chinese embassy official in Washington dismissed the idea of a trade war, asserting that “no one wins.”
As Trump prepares to take office, the unfolding disputes highlight the complexities of balancing economic policy, migration, and diplomacy in an interconnected world. The stakes are high, with North American cooperation hanging in the balance and global trade dynamics on the verge of significant upheaval.
