Facing the so-called ‘Trump tariffs’ threat, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum made it clear that she will engage in dialogue and cooperation with the incoming Donald Trump administration, which takes office on the 20th (local time), but will not be unilaterally led.
According to Bloomberg News and others, President Sheinbaum stated during her 100-day inauguration speech held at Mexico City Plaza on the 12th, "We will always move forward with our heads held high."
As Mexico’s first female president in its constitutional history, Sheinbaum said that after the Trump administration takes office, she will prioritize dialogue and maintain a strong relationship with the United States. She emphasized, "Mexico is a free and independent sovereign nation," adding, "We coordinate and cooperate with the (Trump second-term) administration, but we are never subordinate."
This statement drew attention as it came amid ongoing threats from Trump, who has branded himself the ‘Tariff Man,’ warning that high tariffs could be imposed on neighboring countries Mexico and Canada from his first day in office. For President Sheinbaum, whose term runs until 2030, building a relationship with the Trump second-term administration is one of the biggest challenges.
Recently, President Sheinbaum publicly countered Trump’s provocation to replace ‘the Gulf of Mexico’ with ‘the Gulf of America’ by suggesting, "How about changing the North American region to ‘Mexico America’?" At the same time, she has shown pragmatic and flexible moves by introducing policies that seem to align with the incoming Trump administration. Early this month, she announced strengthened regulations on small imports targeting China and crackdowns on counterfeit illegal activities, which are also seen as measures mindful of Trump. Furthermore, she has expressed a willingness to actively communicate with the U.S. regarding the renegotiation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), illegal immigration, and drug trafficking issues, all of which Trump has signaled.
In her speech, President Sheinbaum also claimed that Mexicans residing in the United States contribute to the U.S. economy through consumption, savings, and tax payments. She praised them as "excellent workers in agriculture, construction, and service sectors, as well as outstanding university scientists." Bloomberg News, citing Latin Finance, reported that the Mexican government will announce a roadmap on the 13th to maintain private investment, reinforcing the message that bilateral relations remain robust.
President Sheinbaum, who took office in October last year just before the U.S. presidential election, is currently enjoying approval ratings approaching the 80% range, thanks to bold reforms including the direct election of judges. However, besides the risks to U.S.-Mexico relations following the start of Trump’s second term, challenges such as economic recession, wealth disparity, and public security concerns remain. Regarding security, she mentioned on this day, "We will ensure that young people do not see criminal groups as a life choice," indicating she will adopt a tougher stance than the previous administration.
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