Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has contradicted President-elect Donald Trump’s claim that the two leaders reached an agreement to halt migration to the US border. Following a phone call on Wednesday, Trump posted on social media, stating: “She has agreed to stop migration through Mexico, and into the United States, effectively closing our southern border.”
Sheinbaum swiftly responded, clarifying that Mexico’s position had not changed: the country would not close its borders but would focus on managing migration while upholding human rights.
Trump’s statement came just days after he threatened to impose a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, and a 10% tariff on China, upon taking office in January. He said the tariffs on Mexico and Canada would be lifted only if illegal immigration and drug trafficking to the US stopped. He also indicated that tariffs on China would remain until the country took stronger action against fentanyl smuggling.
In response, Sheinbaum expressed Mexico’s intent to retaliate if the US followed through on its tariff threats. “If there are US tariffs, Mexico would also raise tariffs,” she said at a press conference, accompanied by Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard, who called for increased regional cooperation.
