Mexican President Folding After Just One Phone Call with Trump
The spark of defiance appears to have fizzled out, as at least one international leader seems to be yielding after just one conversation with President-elect Donald Trump.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has hinted at possible policy shifts only days after a congratulatory post-election call with the U.S. president-elect.
During what was reportedly a “cordial” exchange, Trump wasted no time addressing the central issue of U.S.-Mexico relations: the extensive shared border and its current unacceptable condition.
According to Fox News Digital, Sheinbaum is already weighing changes in direct response to discussions with the incoming Trump administration.
At a recent press briefing, the Mexican president emphasized that her government would safeguard national sovereignty while fostering a cooperative relationship with Trump.
These anticipated policy adjustments are likely to span various sectors, as the U.S.-Mexico relationship involves much more than just border security.
Mexico’s economy, historically fragile, could face significant repercussions.
Trump has floated the idea of imposing tariffs on Mexican exports, with the automotive industry being particularly vulnerable. The U.S. International Trade Administration identifies vehicle manufacturing, including parts and technology, as one of Mexico’s “most significant” industries.
This sector alone contributes 3.6 percent to Mexico’s gross domestic product, meaning U.S. tariffs could disrupt operations from Baja California to the Yucatán. In response, Mexico’s economy minister, Marcelo Ebrard, has suggested the possibility of retaliatory tariffs targeting the U.S.
Another area where Sheinbaum’s administration may have to adapt is border enforcement.
While Mexican forces currently patrol the U.S.-Mexico border, their efforts are widely regarded as ineffective. Strengthening border security could be one way to stay in Trump’s favor.
This reality is not lost on Mexican lawmakers.
“Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration will have to reinforce the security strategy on the southern border by deploying the National Guard and strengthening the presence of the National Migration Institute,” Congressman Raul Torres told Fox News Digital.
Trump’s vow to ramp up deportation efforts will further complicate the situation for Sheinbaum.
“Now with the coming Trump administration, everything is going to be much more complex because they will not only focus on immigration but also on trade and security,” said Rodrigo Montes de Oca, a scholar at the Baker Institute, to Fox.
In an effort to align with Trump’s policies, Mexico may have to escalate immigration enforcement, particularly at its southern border, while cooperating more closely with U.S. authorities.
Sheinbaum isn’t the only Mexican politician who might have cause for concern.
“That is why Trump went so far as to say during the campaign that if Mexico did not cooperate on these issues,” Montes de Oca added, “he would make public the U.S. government’s intelligence information on politicians in Mexico who are related to drug cartels.”
Given the pervasive influence of cartels in Mexico — Sheinbaum rose to power following a record number of candidate assassinations, according to Reuters — such a move could reveal troubling connections among lawmakers.
For Sheinbaum and the nation as a whole, the message for the next four years is clear: cooperate with Trump’s America to restore order, or face the consequences.