Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to the Trump administration's decision to impose 30% tariffs on imports from the country as of August 1 over claims that it's not doing enough to prevent the region from becoming a "Narco-Trafficking Playground."
During a passage of her daily press conference on Monday, Sheinbaum said the U.S. also has to "do its part" on the matter, especially regarding the pursuit of suspects and addressing the flow of weapons to Mexico.
"We have insisted on matters related to controlling the flow of weapons from the U.S. into Mexico, on the arrest of people involved in drug trafficking in the U.S., and on the responsibilities that belong to the United States," Sheinbaum added.
The president, however, said she believes both parties are close to reaching an agreement on the matter that will prevent the tariffs from going into effect. She clarified that no agreement will include the presence of U.S. troops on Mexican soil.
Trump said Saturday that the tariffs were being put in place because even though Mexico had been "helping" him increase border security, it was "not enough."
"If for any reason you decide to raise your Tariffs, then, whatever the number you choose to raise them by, will be added onto the 30% that we charge. Also, I must mention that the flow of Fentanyl is hardly the only challenge we have with Mexico, which has many Tariff, and Non-Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers, which cause unsustainable Trade Deficits against the United States. The Trade Deficit is a major threat to our Economy and, indeed, our National Security!" reads a passage of the letter.
Mexico reacted quickly to Trump's tariff announcement on Saturday, saying it was already taking steps to address the matter. Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard posted a statement from the Economy and Foreign Ministries, noting that on Friday a Mexican delegation had already met with U.S. counterparts to kick off a "permanent binational working table in which the main topics of the relations will be addressed."
"Issues addressed included security, migration, border and water management, as well as the countries economic relations. It was conveyed to us that, as part of a deep change in the U.S. trade policy, all countries will receive a letter signed by the U.S. president establishing 30% tariffs as of August 1. We said it was an unfair deal and we disagreed with it," the document adds.
"It is highly relevant having already established the necessary space to prevent any chance the measures will go into effect on August 1. In other words, Mexico is already negotiating," the document added.
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