Mexico City, Mexico — President Claudia Sheinbaum held a public meeting Sunday before 350,000 in the Zócalo of Mexico City. The public address was announced after U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed export tariffs on Mexico.
“Our strength is the people, our motive is the well-being of the people,” Sheinbaum said Sunday.
Sheinbaum said recent talks between Mexico and the U.S. have been good. She also said that with the T-MEC, Mexico should not be subject to the reciprocal tariffs that the U.S. government intends to impose on April 2.
She stressed that Mexico will continue to collaborate with the U.S., particularly in the fight against fentanyl consumption, while the U.S. should apply itself to prevent arms trafficking into Mexican territory.
Before more than 350,000, President Sheinbaum said that recent talks and respect have prevailed in the relationship with the United States government, which is why the 25 percent tariffs that had been applied to export products were lifted, which she described as an achievement for all Mexicans.
She also explained that Mexico would not be subject to the reciprocal tariffs that Donald Trump will impose on all countries starting April 2 since the Mexico-United States-Canada Agreement (T-MEC) establishes that there are no tariffs between these nations.
“We are optimistic because that day, April 2, the United States government announced that it will impose reciprocal tariffs on all countries in the world.
“Therefore, if any country charges for its exports, the United States will do so as well, that is what they have said. Except that Mexico is not in that area because for more than 30 years we have signed two Trade Agreements which establish that we do not have tariffs with them, nor they with us.
“In other words, reciprocal tariffs would not have to be applied because there are practically no tariffs from Mexico to the United States,” she explained.
Sheinbaum said that the Government of Mexico will continue to collaborate with the United States particularly in the fight against fentanyl consumption with the aim of ensuring that this drug does not reach young Mexicans or Americans.
“We are determined to collaborate with him in all areas, especially given the concern they have about the serious problem of synthetic drug use. For humanitarian reasons, Mexico will continue to collaborate to prevent fentanyl from reaching American youth and to support their families,” she said.
She said that just as the Mexican government is cooperating in this area, the United States government will be asked what actions they are taking to stop high-powered weapons from reaching Mexican territory.
