Mexico's President Sheinbaum Clarifies Stance on Migration After Call with Trump

Amidst rising tensions over migration policies, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has responded to differing accounts of her call with Donald Trump, denying any agreement to stop migration and instead promoting diplomatic solutions. With potential trade repercussions looming, Sheinbaum insists on collaboration while addressing shared challenges.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has sought to clarify the details of a recent conversation she had with US President-elect Donald Trump, after both leaders presented conflicting accounts of their discussion. Following the call, Trump claimed that Sheinbaum had "agreed to stop migration through Mexico and into the United States, effectively closing our Southern Border." In contrast, Sheinbaum stated that she simply reiterated Mexico's stance, which focuses on "not to close borders but to build bridges between governments and people."

This call followed Trump’s announcement earlier in the week of a proposed 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada and a 10% tariff on China, contingent upon a reduction in illegal immigration and drug trafficking. In response, President Sheinbaum was initially combative, warning of retaliatory tariffs from Mexico in the event of a trade war, stating, "If there are US tariffs, Mexico would also raise tariffs." These proposed tariffs could conflict with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

During a press conference, Sheinbaum clarified that specific discussions on tariffs were not covered in her call with Trump, though they did address issues related to immigration and fentanyl trafficking—the primary reasons cited by Trump for the tariffs. She reassured him that a caravan of migrants he had expressed concern about would "not reach the [northern] Mexican frontier" and emphasized that closing the border was not part of Mexico's plans. Additionally, she highlighted that their conversation was "very amiable" and expressed optimism about ongoing discussions.

Sheinbaum's tone appeared more conciliatory compared to her initial reaction to Trump’s tariff proposal, suggesting that “there is now no possibility of a tariff war” between the two nations. As the flow of migrants from Mexico continues to impact bilateral relations, this topic has evolved into a critical issue in the context of the upcoming 2024 presidential election in the US.

Under increasing US diplomatic pressure, Mexico has been implementing significant measures to manage migration, including transporting non-Mexican migrants away from the US border. Meanwhile, Trump, who campaigned on a track record of tightening border security, has framed his tariff threats as a way to compel Mexico to do more to curb migration. In response, Mexico has called for the US to do its part in dealing with the influx of weapons smuggled into Mexico. Sheinbaum mentioned that she will address the issue of gun trafficking with Trump "in due time."