Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed optimism that a deal can still be reached with the United States, even as President Donald Trump moves to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexican imports. Speaking in the state of Sonora on Saturday, Sheinbaum declared that “Mexico’s sovereignty is not negotiable,” making clear that while her administration remains open to dialogue, it will not bow to unilateral pressure. The Mexican President added that her team has started trade negotiations with the US.
“We believe, based on what our colleagues discussed yesterday, that we will reach an agreement with the United States government and that, of course, we will achieve better conditions,” Sheinbaum said as quoted by Bloomberg.
The comments came shortly after Trump announced a 30% blanket tariff on Mexican imports, set to take effect on August 1. His latest move threatens to intensify the ongoing trade war and strain relations with one of the US’s top trading partners.
Trump slaps tariff on Mexico
Trump’s announcement marks a return to his combative trade policy style, with similar letters sent to 23 other U.S. trading partners including Canada, Japan, and Brazil setting tariff rates ranging from 20% to 50%. These include steep sector-specific tariffs such as 50% on steel and aluminum and 25% on automobiles, in addition to the blanket levies.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump justified the 30% tariff on Mexico by citing the country’s failure to completely stem drug trafficking across the border. “Mexico has been helping me secure the border, BUT what Mexico has done is not enough,” he wrote, adding that Mexican cartels remain a major concern for US national security.
Mexico calls tariffs unfair
Mexico’s economy ministry confirmed it was notified of the new tariff plan during a bilateral meeting with US officials on Friday. In a statement, the ministry labeled the move “unfair” and warned of its potential to harm trade and economic ties. Still, officials indicated that talks would continue in hopes of averting the August 1 deadline.
The ministry also pointed out that Mexico’s proposed tariff rate is actually lower than Canada’s 30% versus 35% despite government data showing much higher fentanyl seizures at the Mexican border than at the Canadian one.
Mexico, which overtook China as the US’s top trading partner in 2023, sends more than 80% of its exports northward.