Mexico City, Mexico – Following United States President Donald Trump’s announcement late Monday that the country would impose tariffs on all imports from Mexico and Canada, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Tuesday that retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports will be announced at a massive rally next Sunday.
During her routine press conference, the president said that Mexico will respond to President Trump’s “one-sided” decision to impose a 25% tariff on all Mexican goods through undisclosed retaliatory measures. The U.S. has justified the tariffs by accusing the Mexican government of collaborating with drug cartels.
“I want to make it clear today that we will always seek a negotiated solution, as we have proposed, within the framework of respect for our sovereignties. However, the unilateral decision made by the United States affects both national and foreign companies operating in our country and harms our people. Therefore, we have decided to respond with tariff and non-tariff measures, which I will announce in a public square next Sunday,” said Sheinbaum.
Trump has made tariffs a U.S. foreign policy staple; in his first six weeks as president, the Republican has antagonized commercial rivals and allies by imposing taxes to cower countries into compliance with U.S. interests.
For Mexico and Canada, the 25% tariffs are meant to enforce border security and hamper smuggling of drugs such as fentanyl and irregular migration flowing from both U.S. borders.
Regarding Mexico, the Trump administration drew serious accusations against Mexican officials that supported the 25% tax imposition, asserting that “the government of Mexico has afforded safe havens for the cartels to engage in the manufacturing and transportation of dangerous narcotics” while claiming that large portions of Mexico are under the control of drug cartels.
The allegations were condemned by Sheinbaum during her morning briefing, saying that the White House had issued an “offensive, defamatory, and unfounded statement about the Government of Mexico.”
While denouncing Trump’s accusations, Sheinbaum drew criticism of her own regarding the United States’ lack of action against drug trafficking and drug trafficking organizations within U.S. territory.
“The government of that country must also take charge of the opioid consumption crisis that has caused so many deaths in the United States,” said Sheinbaum.
“They must act against criminal groups that illegally smuggle fentanyl precursors through their ports and airports, as well as against the crime that produces, distributes, and illegally sells fentanyl and other drugs within their territory, poisoning their citizens,” she added.
President Sheinbaum will announce the measures to counter the U.S. tariffs on Sunday at noon local time in Mexico City’s main square.
Featured image credit: via Claudia Sheinbaum’s X profile
