Following a phone conversation with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, President-elect Donald Trump declared victory in curbing illegal immigration from Mexico. However, President Sheinbaum countered that Mexico was already addressing the issue and had no intention of closing its borders.
This exchange occurred shortly after Trump threatened significant new tariffs on both Canada and Mexico as part of his broader strategy to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
Trump asserted that Sheinbaum had agreed to halt migration through Mexico. Sheinbaum, in her own social media posts, stated that Mexico was already managing migrant caravans and characterized their conversation as “excellent.” She emphasized Mexico’s policy of building bridges rather than closing borders.
While the future of the proposed tariffs remains uncertain, Trump claimed on Truth Social that the call effectively sealed the Southern border, calling the discussion “very productive.”
The interaction between the two leaders seemed to validate Trump’s approach of leveraging trade disruptions. His initial social media post impacted financial markets and elicited a response he swiftly framed as a success. Even without implementing the tariffs, Trump can portray the mere threat as an effective policy tool.
Sheinbaum’s social media posts detailed their discussion of Mexico’s migration strategy, emphasizing that migrant caravans weren’t reaching the U.S. border due to Mexico’s actions. She also mentioned collaboration on security and combating fentanyl use.
The decrease in illegal immigration across the Mexican border partly stems from increased cooperation between Mexico and the Biden administration—an achievement Trump appears to be claiming credit for.
Border arrivals have fallen by 40% from their peak in December. U.S. officials primarily attribute this decline to heightened Mexican vigilance at rail yards and highway checkpoints.
Under pressure from the U.S. to stem northward migration, Mexican authorities have intensified efforts to apprehend migrants nationwide and relocate them to southern Mexico—a tactic experts view as a strategy to deter migrants.
Neither leader clarified the status of the tariffs. Their implementation could trigger price increases and slower economic growth, potentially jeopardizing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement finalized in 2020.
Trump previously announced a 25% tax on all imports from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders, alongside a 10% tariff on China for fentanyl-related exports.
In justifying his plan, he criticized the flow of fentanyl and illegal immigration, despite border apprehensions being near four-year lows.
Trump also announced a large-scale advertising campaign to highlight the dangers of fentanyl, aiming to educate the public about its harmful effects.
This potent opioid, initially designed for severe pain management, is increasingly mixed with other drugs in the illicit market.
Through September, U.S. imports from Mexico totaled $378.9 billion, $322.2 billion from China, and $309.3 billion from Canada.
—Hussein reported from West Palm Beach. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in New York and Mark Stevenson in Mexico City contributed to this report.