Mexican president confident in US deal despite 30% tariff threat

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed confidence that an agreement with the United States can be reached before the threatened 30% tariff comes into effect, despite recent tensions.

Over the weekend, the Trump administration sent letters to world leaders announcing additional tariffs on all exports. For Mexico, this included a proposed 30% tariff, reportedly linked to what the US perceives as Mexico’s insufficient efforts to combat drug trafficking along their shared border.

Sheinbaum said, “We have a working group in place and our goal is to reach an agreement. Issues related to fentanyl and security are also on the table, and some progress has already been made, all within the framework of respect for our sovereignty.”

Despite the strain, she remains hopeful that a deal can be finalised before 1 August, when the tariffs are due to come into force.

President Trump criticised Mexico over its border security and anti-drug trafficking measures, stating the 30% tariff is a response to what he sees as inadequate results from Sheinbaum’s administration.

In response, Sheinbaum emphasised that the US must also shoulder responsibility, noting, “We are doing our part, and they must do theirs. We have consistently called for controlling the flow of weapons from the United States into Mexico and for the arrest of individuals involved in drug trafficking within the US — that is the responsibility of the United States.” She highlighted that the US is the world’s largest consumer of fentanyl and underlined the importance of cooperation.

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