While Mexican Leader Was Congratulating Trump, What President-Elect Did During the Call May Explain His Entire Strategy

As the dust begins to settle after a tumultuous election night, a phone call between President-elect Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum offers a glimpse into the potential direction of U.S.-Mexico relations over the next four years.

In the days following the election, Sheinbaum was one of the first world leaders to extend her congratulations to Trump.

At first glance, the conversation seemed routine, but further details about their November 7 discussion suggest it carries significant implications.

“We had a very cordial call with President-elect Donald Trump in which we talked about the good relationship that there will be between Mexico and the United States,” Sheinbaum shared in a Spanish-language post on X.

However, it seems the call may not have been as “cordial” as Sheinbaum described.

A November 11 report from the Associated Press highlighted a pivotal moment in their exchange.

During the conversation, Trump reportedly raised concerns about the border, emphasizing the ongoing challenges there.

His stance on border security was underscored by his decision to appoint Tom Homan as his future "border czar."

Homan, who previously served as the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during Trump’s first term, is ready to resume his efforts.

“I’ve been on this network for four years complaining about what this [Biden] administration did to this border,” Homan said on Fox & Friends on Monday. “I’ve been yelling and screaming about it and telling them what they need to do to fix it. So when the president asked me, ‘Would you come back to fix it?’ Of course. I’d be a hypocrite if I didn’t. I’m honored the president asked me to come back and help solve this national security crisis, so I’m looking forward to it.”

But Trump’s remarks to Sheinbaum didn’t end with border security.

After addressing the border, Trump asked Sheinbaum to relay his greetings to Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Mexico’s former president.

According to the AP, López Obrador serves as a mentor to Sheinbaum, who began her first term in August. Trump’s message for López Obrador could signal that he views the former president as a significant figure in Mexican politics.

Despite their political differences, Trump and López Obrador have maintained a positive relationship. As recently as July, then-President López Obrador referred to Trump as “a man of intelligence and vision.”

This longstanding rapport suggests Trump may seek to maintain ties with López Obrador, even if it means prioritizing that relationship over engaging directly with Sheinbaum.

All signs point to Sheinbaum being put on notice by the incoming Trump administration.