The long-delayed first direct meeting between US President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is now going to take place. Surprisingly, this meeting is not focused on the immigration issue, but on topics like 2026 World Cup, trade and tariffs, whereas Trump’s biggest political issue is strict action on the US-Mexico border.
This is the only time Trump is meeting Sheinbaum after being in power for ten months, whereas the US President often meets the leader of the neighboring country Mexico. However, it is also being told that the two were scheduled to meet during the G7 conference in Canada in June 2024, but due to increasing Israel-Iran tension, Trump had to return prematurely and the meeting was cancelled.
Meeting on the pretext of World Cup, but shadow of tariff persists
Let us tell you that this meeting between Trump and President Sheinbaum may be taking place on the pretext of the World Cup, but its real goal is something else. This can be understood that the draw for the 2026 Football World Cup took place on Friday at the Kennedy Center in Washington, in which America, Mexico and Canada are the three hosts.
On the other hand, Sheinbaum had already said that she would take part in the draw and a short meeting with Trump was possible. If media reports are to be believed, his focus is to remove American tariffs on automobiles, steel and aluminium. On the other hand, Trump also said that he would meet Sheinbaum.
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Mexico is America’s biggest partner
Reports show that today Mexico is America’s largest trading partner. While the USMCA trade treaty created by Trump is still in force, US officials are now preparing to review it, which could increase trade tensions. On the other hand, the huge decline in illegal entry across the border and the Trump administration’s incomplete threats to impose large-scale tariffs have changed the priorities of both the countries.
Phone conversation continues, but reason for delay in meeting?
Although Trump has met the heads of state of Russia and China, the meeting with Sheinbaum remained postponed till now. There have been frequent phone conversations between the two countries, during which the main topics of discussion have been to stop fentanyl drug smuggling and tariffs. Trump had threatened to impose 25% tariff after becoming President, but later stopped it.
In such situations, Mexico also got relief many times. This indicates that Sheinbaum is considered an expert in handling relations with Trump. He humorously avoided Trump’s statement that the Gulf of Mexico would be renamed the Gulf of America and suggested that if this is the case, then the entire North America should be named ‘America Mexicana’.
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Mexico’s big challenge – stopping new tariffs before 2026
Mexico’s economy is slow and if Trump imposes huge tariffs of up to 25%, the country could suffer huge losses. The Mexican government strongly opposed the US’s 1% remittance tax, but was unable to stop it. This tax will be applicable from January 1.
Trump’s mass deportation policy and Mexico’s concerns
The Trump administration has launched large-scale deportation campaigns in several Democratic cities. Although it is said that dangerous criminals are being targeted, the majority of those arrested are not. Due to this, many Mexican citizens living in America for years are worried about their future. Remittances have been falling for seven consecutive months, a major blow to Mexico’s economy. In such a situation, immigration is no longer as big an issue between the two countries as before, because there has been a huge reduction in illegal entry across the border.
Cooperation on security and drugs increased, understand how?
It is noteworthy that to calm America’s concerns about fentanyl and drug cartels, Sheinbaum gave more powers to his security chief Omar Garcia Harfuchs. Mexico has extradited several cartel leaders to the US, including Rafael Caro Quintero, who is accused of murdering a DEA agent in 1985. However, coordination with Trump on every issue was not easy. Sheinbaum vehemently rejected Trump’s suggestion of sending US troops to Mexico. Trump accused him of being afraid of cartels, but Sheinbaum did not retaliate, avoiding escalating the controversy.
