Politics: Mexico responds to Trump’s initial measures, but is the government up for the challenge?
Donald Trump’s first measures upon assuming office on January 20 came as no surprise to Mexico, and the Mexican government and society as a whole almost unanimously condemns Trump’s tough and aggressive anti-immigrant stance. President Claudia Sheinbaum’s approach has been on multiple levels: condemning the anti-immigrant rhetoric and reiterating Mexico’s refusal to accept a subordinate relation to Washington; publicizing and insisting on the positive contributions Mexican and Latino migrants make to the U.S. economy; attempting to limit the migratory flows at the country’s southern border; adopting measures to protect Mexican migrants in the United States; preparing for a massive return of deported Mexican nationals; seeking unity in Latin America on the issue, and attempting to calm tempers on the home front and keep the door open to seeking a positive and collaborative relationship with the White House.
Whether President Claudia Sheinbaum can pull it off is another question. Her maneuvering room is limited, and massive deportations of Mexican migrants could have serious repercussions on the Mexican economy, affecting her administration’s goals. Particularly problematic is whether Mexico will, in the end, accept being a “Third Safe Country” and agree to receive deported migrants of other nationalities, which would further strain its economy and urban infrastructure.
The other challenge Sheinbaum must deal with is drug trafficking and Trump’s announced policy to classify the cartels as terrorist organizations, which has multiple negative implications for Mexican sovereignty and U.S. companies operating in the country. Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on Mexican exports to the United States could also have a strong negative impact on the country’s economy. The Sheinbaum administration will have to decide whether to satisfy the White House that it is doing everything possible to fight drug trafficking and curb migration to the United States or coddle Morena politicians accused of links to organized crime.
Limiting the effects of Trump’s policies and appeasing Washington while keeping the situation calm and under control on the domestic front will be a delicate and difficult balancing act that will not be at all easy for Sheinbaum to pull off.
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