US President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum have reached a temporary agreement to avert the imposition of tariffs on Mexican imports. Trump had previously threatened to levy a 25% tariff, set to take effect this coming Tuesday, on all goods coming from Mexico. In a recent phone call between the two leaders, Sheinbaum pledged to deploy 10,000 members of the National Guard to the US-Mexican border. This deployment aims to "prevent the trafficking of drugs, in particular fentanyl, from Mexico to the US."
The two countries have decided to pause the tariffs for a month while they engage in negotiations to address mutual concerns. Both Trump and Sheinbaum have expressed a commitment to tackling security issues at their shared border, with a focus on stopping the illegal flow of drugs and weapons. Sheinbaum has welcomed the US's commitment to enhance measures that curb the trafficking of high-powered weapons from the US into Mexico.
Sheinbaum emphasized that diplomacy, rather than tariffs, offers the best path forward. She stated, "Problems are not solved by imposing tariffs, but by talking." Her stance comes in response to Trump's earlier allegations of an "intolerable alliance" between Mexico and drug trafficking gangs, which she has denounced as "slander."
In light of these developments, both countries will commence work immediately to finalize a deal on "security and trade." The Mexican leader had also instructed her economy minister to prepare retaliatory measures, known as "Plan B," should tariffs have been enforced. However, with the current pause on tariffs, there is hope for a diplomatic resolution.
The National Guard's deployment serves not only as a gesture of goodwill but also as a pragmatic step towards addressing the significant issue of drug trafficking. Meanwhile, the US's commitment to "work towards" curbing the flow of weapons into Mexico is seen as a crucial element in reducing violence linked to organized crime south of the border.
Trump confirmed the tariff pause shortly after Sheinbaum's public announcement. The decision reflects a mutual understanding that economic penalties could exacerbate existing tensions rather than resolve them. By pausing tariffs and opening dialogues, both nations demonstrate a willingness to collaborate on shared aims.