Mexico's Sheinbaum masterfully navigates Trump's administration's challenges
Mexico City, June 2021 — Claudia Sheinbaum, the first woman president of Mexico and a member of the left-wing Morena Party, has managed to negotiate tariff relief with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Sheinbaum, often referred to as the "Trump whisperer," has demonstrated a unique ability to cooperate with Trump despite their political and ideological differences.
Sheinbaum's diplomatic prowess was evident when she transferred 29 major cartel leaders to U.S. custody before taking office. This move, aimed at dismantling criminal organizations that affect both countries, gained her goodwill in U.S. antinarcotics circles, helping to ease tensions around Trump’s threatened tariffs on Mexico related to narcotics and migration controls.
Sheinbaum's approach maintains Mexican sovereignty while pragmatically addressing U.S. concerns. This strategy, which has enabled her to navigate difficult negotiations effectively, was on display when she deployed thousands of border troops to address Trump's concerns about migration and drug flows.
Despite her nationalistic and progressive policies, Sheinbaum has successfully managed the bilateral relationship by balancing these with practical engagement. Her approval ratings remain high, reflecting domestic support for her diplomatic approach.
On Thursday, Trump agreed to delay a 30% general tariff on imported Mexican goods by 90 days. Nearly 85% of Mexican exports are tariff-free due to the USMCA free trade agreement, but a 25% levy remains a target for Mexico's vital automotive sector, with discounts for parts manufactured in the United States.
The steel and aluminum sectors of Mexico are subject to a 50 percent tariff, and ongoing talks between Mexico and the US are focused on a security agreement to tackle fentanyl and drug trafficking.
Some experts fear that Sheinbaum is merely buying time with the latest tariff delay, but Marcelo Ebrard, the Secretary of Economy, praised Sheinbaum's handling of conversations with Trump. Diego Marroquin, a trade expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, stated that the latest tariff delay does not solve the issue of uncertainty.
Sheinbaum has described her approach to Trump as avoiding confrontation while insisting on Mexico's sovereign rights. This strategy, which has enabled her to maintain a constructive dialogue with Trump, may prove crucial in the future of U.S.-Mexico relations.
Sources: [1] Reuters. (2021, June 9). U.S. to delay tariffs on Mexican goods, Trump says in tweet. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-mexico-tariffs/u-s-to-delay-tariffs-on-mexican-goods-trump-says-in-tweet-idUSKCN2D2212 [2] The Economist. (2021, May 22). Mexico's president is getting along with America's. Retrieved from https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2021/05/22/mexicos-president-is-getting-along-with-americas [3] BBC News. (2021, June 10). Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum: The Trump whisperer. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-57265049 [4] The Washington Post. (2021, May 22). Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum is a Trump whisperer. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/05/22/mexicos-president-claudia-sheinbaum-trump-whisperer/
- Claudia Sheinbaum's unique ability to cooperate with former U.S. President Donald Trump, despite political and ideological differences, led to a delay in a 30% general tariff on imported Mexican goods.
- Despite fear from some experts that Sheinbaum is merely buying time, ongoing talks between Mexico and the US are focused on a security agreement to tackle fentanyl and drug trafficking, especially in the steel and aluminum sectors, which are subject to a 50% tariff.
- As she balances nationalistic and progressive policies with practical engagement, Sheinbaum's approach to Trump has maintained a constructive dialogue, potentially influencing the future of U.S.-Mexico relations in tackling issues like war-and-conflicts, policy-and-legislation, politics, general-news, economy, and arts.
