Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has refuted President-elect Donald Trump’s claim of a deal to halt migration to the U.S. border. Following a phone call, Trump stated that Sheinbaum agreed to “stop migration,” but she clarified Mexico’s stance is to address migration with a focus on human rights, not by closing borders.
Sheinbaum also warned of retaliatory tariffs if Trump enacts his proposed 25% duties on Mexico and Canada and 10% on China, which he linked to stopping illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and fentanyl smuggling. These tariffs could violate the USMCA trade deal. Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard criticized the move as counterproductive, advocating for regional cooperation instead.
Canada, meanwhile, convened an emergency meeting led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to address Trump’s tariff threats, though internal divisions surfaced over Trudeau’s ability to negotiate effectively.
Trump’s pledge to curb migration follows U.S.-Mexico crackdowns and declining border crossings under outgoing President Joe Biden. However, Sheinbaum emphasized building bridges over closing borders, reiterating Mexico’s human-rights-centered migration strategy.
