President-elect Donald Trump recently announced a conversation with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, during which Sheinbaum reportedly agreed to “stop Migration through Mexico, and into the United States.” This pledge followed Trump’s threats to impose a 25% tariff on goods imported from Mexico if the nation failed to take stronger measures to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking into the U.S.
The agreement marks a significant development in Trump’s longstanding criticism of Mexico’s role in the flow of migrants and illicit drugs across the southern border. On Truth Social, Trump described the discussion as “very productive,” stating that Sheinbaum committed to actions that would “effectively close our Southern Border.” He also noted they spoke about strategies to combat drug inflow, including fentanyl, and addressed the need to reduce U.S. consumption of these substances.
In response to Trump’s threats, Sheinbaum warned during a press conference that Mexico would retaliate with its own tariffs if the U.S. proceeded with the proposed measures. “If there are U.S. tariffs, Mexico would also raise tariffs,” she said. However, Sheinbaum took a collaborative tone in her own statement on X, describing the conversation with Trump as “excellent” and emphasizing a mutual commitment to “strengthening collaboration on security issues,” as reported by Reuters.
Trump’s focus on the dangers of fentanyl remains central to his policy agenda. The synthetic opioid, which is up to 50 times more potent than heroin, has devastated American communities, contributing to hundreds of thousands of overdose deaths. U.S. officials attribute the production of illicit fentanyl to Mexican cartels using chemical precursors from China. Trump has proposed an additional 10% tariff on China as a response to its role in the fentanyl crisis and announced plans to launch a large-scale public awareness campaign about the drug’s dangers. “Millions of lives being so needlessly destroyed. By the time the Campaign is over, everyone will know how really bad the horror of this Drug is,” he wrote on Truth Social.
China has already pushed back against Trump’s rhetoric, with the China Daily, a state-run newspaper, calling the justification for additional tariffs “far-fetched,” according to Reuters. Despite this, Trump insists that tariffs remain an “effective negotiating tool” for addressing issues like border security and drug trafficking. His recent exchange with Sheinbaum reflects a high-priority effort to secure U.S. borders and address the migration crisis as he prepares to take office.
Pray hard for Trump.