Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was optimistic on Thursday about negotiations with US President Donald Trump over his newly declared tariffs, which are likely to affect Mexico’s economy heavily.
Trump confirmed that his government will impose a 25% tariff on Mexican and Canadian products from March 4, citing ongoing drug smuggling into the United States despite earlier threats.
We cannot let this plague continue to hurt the USA, and thus, until it ceases, or is severely curtailed, the planned TARIFFS set to take effect on MARCH FOURTH will, in fact, take effect, as planned,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Sheinbaum has sent a senior delegation to Washington in a bid to reach an agreement prior to the imposition of the tariffs. “We hope to talk to President Trump after these meetings are over,” she said, sounding hopeful of a resolution. “I hope that by March 4, we can say something different.”
Earlier, Trump had backtracked on the imposition of tariffs on Mexico following a commitment by Sheinbaum to send 10,000 extra troops to the border with the US to stem illegal cross-border entry.
Top Mexican officials, including ministers of foreign affairs, economy, finance, defense, and security, will be present in the future meetings in Washington and will hold talks with their US counterparts, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Even though she has been eager to collaborate with Washington, Sheinbaum has resolutely not accepted any foreign intervention in Mexico’s sovereignty. While the deadline looms near, both nations are under pressure to accept a compromise that weighs trade relations and security issues.
