Mexico City, Mexico — Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum says an increase in tariffs is not acceptable and would end in job losses for both countries. Her comments were made Tuesday in response to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump.
Trump has threatened to increase tariffs on Mexican products by 25 percent. Sheinbaum called the threat unacceptable which, she said, would cause inflation and job losses in both nations. “One tariff will be followed by another and so on until we put common companies at risk,” she pointed out.
Sheinbaum says she has sent a letter to Trump stating that it is not with threats or tariffs that the problems of migration or drug use will be addressed.
“President Trump, threats and tariffs are not the way to address the migration phenomenon or drug use in the United States. These major challenges require cooperation and mutual understanding.
“One tariff will be followed by another, and so on until we put common companies at risk. Yes, common companies. For example, the main exporters from Mexico to the United States are General Motors, Stellantis and Ford Motors Company, which arrived in Mexico 80 years ago.
“Why impose a tax that puts them at risk? It is not acceptable and would cause inflation and job losses for the United States and Mexico,” she read to the press Tuesday.
Sheinbaum said she is convinced that the economic strength of North America lies in maintaining commercial partnership and that talking is the best path to understanding, peace and prosperity in both nations. She also says she hopes both teams can meet soon.
“This way we can continue to be more competitive against other economic blocs. I believe that dialogue is the best path to understanding, peace and prosperity in our nations. I hope that our teams can meet soon,” she said.
Sheinbaum also pointed out that Donald Trump is probably “not aware” that Mexico has developed a comprehensive policy to assist migrants from different parts of the world who cross Mexican territory, and that according to figures from the Border Patrol and Customs of the United States (CBP), encounters on the border between Mexico and the United States have been reduced by 75 percent from December 2023 to November 2024.
“Incidentally, half of those who arrive do so through a legally granted appointment through the United States program called CBP One. For these reasons, caravans of migrants no longer arrive at the border.
“Even so, it is clear that we must jointly arrive at another model of labor mobility that is necessary for our country and to address the causes that lead families to leave their homes of origin out of necessity.
“If a percentage of what the United States allocates to war is dedicated to peacebuilding and development, the mobility of people will be fundamentally addressed.
“On the other hand, and for humanitarian reasons, we have always expressed Mexico’s willingness to prevent the continuation of the fentanyl epidemic in the United States, which is, moreover, a problem of consumption and public health in the society of your country.”
