As a result of the statement on migration, fentanyl and tariffs published by President Elect Donald Trump on November 25, 2024, Mexican President, Claudia Sheinbaum sent a letter to Mr. Trump expressing her concerns and the need to maintain the commercial partnership between the two countries. The letter was read by Mrs. Sheinbaum during her morning press conference of November 26, 2024 and was sent to Mr. Trump on that same day. A link to the blog published by the office of the Mexican President can be found here.
The letter explains how Mexico has developed a policy of attention to migrants from different parts of the world and how Mexico has worked to prevent the growth of the problem with fentanyl in the United States, specially focusing on how the Mexican armed forces and prosecutors have detained tons of different types of drugs and weapons.
President Sheinbaum closes the letter stating that the migratory and drug problems should not be addressed with threats or tariffs, but with cooperation and mutual understanding. She also stated that to one tariff, another tariff would follow in response (as Mexico imposed in retaliation back in 2018), which would put at risk common companies. The Mexican President specifically referred to certain US companies established in Mexico, which are the main exporters and would be at risk with these measures. Finally, Mrs. Sheinbaum mentioned that imposing a tariff to Mexican products is not acceptable and would cause inflation and loss of jobs in both countries.
We will follow up closely on this matter and will keep you posted on any developments.
