Claudia Sheinbaum challenges Trump: “Tariff will come with an answer”, and warns about the risk of economic crisis and job losses in both countries
The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, responded this Tuesday (26) to threats of tariffs from the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, with a blunt letter. She warned that “one tariff will be followed by another in response” and refuted the Republican’s “threats.”
“President Trump, it is not with threats or tariffs that the phenomenon of migration or drug use in the United States will be addressed. We need cooperation and mutual economic understanding to face these major challenges. One tariff will be followed by another in response, and so on, until we put ordinary businesses at risk,” Sheinbaum said in the letter.
During the press conference, the president read the content of the letter that will be sent to Trump, who, the previous day, had announced that one of his first executive orders will be to impose 25% tariffs on “all products” from Mexico and the United States. Canada, until the “invasion” of illegal migrants and drugs, such as fentanyl, is “stopped”.
Sheinbaum highlighted that among the “main exporters from Mexico to the United States” are the automakers General Motors, Stellantis and Ford, which have operated in the country for 80 years.
“Why charge them a tax that puts them at risk? This is not acceptable and would cause inflation and job losses in the United States and Mexico,” argued the president.
She also defended the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC), which came into force in July 2020 and was signed during Trump’s first presidency (2017-2021).
Reiterating his willingness for dialogue, Sheinbaum stated that he is seeking a meeting with Trump’s team to explain the importance of Mexico to the United States, which is now the country’s largest trading partner, surpassing China.
“North America’s economic strength lies in maintaining our trade partnership. This way, we can remain more competitive in relation to other economic blocs. I believe that dialogue is the best path to understanding, peace and prosperity in our nations, and I hope that our teams can meet soon,” he said.
Sheinbaum also responded directly to Trump’s accusations, citing a 75% reduction in daily migrant encounters at the US border since December last year, according to data from Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The Mexican president also stated that the “fentanyl epidemic” is “a consumption and public health problem in US society”, and that Mexico has collaborated in this regard “for humanitarian reasons”.
In 2024, Mexican authorities confiscated “tons” of different drugs and 10,340 weapons, in addition to arresting 15,640 people for trafficking-related crimes. Sheinbaum pointed out that the “chemical precursors” for the manufacture of these synthetic drugs enter illegally through Asia.
Finally, Sheinbaum reminded Trump that he should also be aware of illegal gun trafficking from the United States to Mexico, with 70% of weapons seized in the country coming from the United States.
With information from EFE
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2024/11/27/mexico-ameaca-retaliar-trump-com-mais-tarifas-apos-declaracoes-explosivas-sobre-migracao-e-drogas/
