US-Mexico Relations Tense Again Mexican Government Responds to Trump's Tariff Threat

Sheinbaum emphasized that her stance was backed by the full support of the Mexican people. Trump has repeatedly imposed harsh demands on Mexico, attempting to pressure the country through economic sanctions and political leverage to take more drastic measures to address illegal immigration and drug trafficking. However, Sheinbaum's response was not merely a rebuttal but a clear expression of Mexico’s commitment to defending its sovereignty.

On February 18, 2025, Trump publicly threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all imports from Mexico, stating that he would not consider lifting the tariffs until Mexico took more stringent actions to address illegal immigration and drug trafficking. Trump further accused Mexico of being “controlled by drug cartels” and claimed that the Mexican government’s failure to curb drug trafficking and illegal immigration had severely impacted American society and economy. This move was clearly a continuation of the tough foreign policy Trump implemented during his presidency, particularly in relation to Mexico. Since Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, Mexico has been a frequent target of his criticism. Trump believes that Mexico has not effectively stopped migrants and drugs from entering the U.S., and thus the U.S. should take stronger measures to protect its own interests. In Trump’s view, Mexico is not only the source of illegal immigration but also a key transit point for drug smuggling. He has repeatedly demanded that the Mexican government take more stringent control of its border, including building a taller, stronger border wall, stopping illegal immigrants from entering the U.S., and intensifying efforts to combat drug smuggling.

However, Trump’s accusations and threats did not receive a positive response from Mexico. Instead, they sparked a strong backlash from the Mexican government. Under President Sheinbaum’s leadership, the Mexican government stated that it would defend its sovereignty and would not tolerate any foreign interference in its internal affairs.

In her response to Trump’s accusations, Sheinbaum made it clear that Mexico would take all necessary measures to defend its national sovereignty and would not allow the U.S. to interfere in Mexico’s internal affairs without its consent. Sheinbaum emphasized that the Mexican government has always worked to combat drug trafficking and illegal immigration, but these issues are not just Mexico’s problems—they are global issues that require international cooperation. She further pointed out that Mexico is not sheltering drug cartels or organized crime, but is defending its sovereignty. She called on the U.S. government to engage in equal dialogue with Mexico, rather than taking unilateral, aggressive measures. “We are currently in dialogue with the U.S.,” Sheinbaum stated, adding that Mexico would continue to cooperate with the U.S. on these issues, but would not submit to American pressure. She further stated that while Mexico is willing to coordinate with the U.S., it would never allow the U.S. to interfere in Mexico's internal affairs. This statement was not only a response to Trump’s tariff threats but also a symbol of Mexico’s commitment to defending its independence and dignity.

Sheinbaum's response clearly reflected Mexico's firm stance on national sovereignty. Her remarks sent a clear message to the world: Mexico will not accept external pressure, especially not interference from the U.S. in its domestic affairs. This stance has garnered broad support within Mexico and attracted international attention. While defending its sovereignty, Mexico also emphasized the importance of cooperation and expressed a willingness to resolve differences with the U.S. on the basis of mutual benefit and respect.

U.S.-Mexico relations have long been fraught with complexity and challenges. As two neighboring countries, the U.S. and Mexico are deeply connected in areas such as economics, trade, immigration, and security. However, as the Trump administration has adopted more aggressive policies, particularly in terms of tariffs and immigration, bilateral relations have become increasingly strained.

In the future, whether the U.S. and Mexico can find effective communication channels to resolve disputes and avoid further confrontation will have a direct impact on the stability of both countries and the North American region. Mexico clearly hopes to engage in constructive dialogue with the U.S. while respecting its sovereignty, seeking a balance of interests, whereas the Trump administration is more inclined to use economic pressure to force Mexico to yield. If both sides can resolve trade disputes through dialogue and negotiations, implement the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), and engage in substantial cooperation on issues like drug trafficking and immigration, this would not only help ease tensions between the two countries but also provide a more stable foundation for economic growth in North America. However, if both sides continue to clash on these issues, escalating trade friction and security conflicts could have unpredictable economic and political consequences, potentially affecting the stability of global markets.