Sheinbaum dismisses claims of Mexico’s ties with criminal groups, urges cooperation instead of tariffs to combat drug trafficking.
Mexico City, February 2 – Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has firmly rejected accusations by US President Donald Trump that Mexico has alliances with criminal organizations, stating that cooperation, not confrontation, is key to addressing shared challenges like drug trafficking and illegal immigration.
Sheinbaum’s comments come after Trump announced a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, along with a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, citing concerns over drug smuggling and illegal immigration.
“Mexico does not want confrontation. We believe in collaboration between neighboring countries. We do not want fentanyl to reach the United States—or anywhere,” Sheinbaum stated.
Tariffs Won’t Solve the Problem, Says Sheinbaum
Strongly rejecting the White House’s accusations, Sheinbaum insisted that tariffs will not resolve complex issues like drug trafficking.
“If the United States truly wants to combat criminal groups that traffic drugs and generate violence, we must work together in an integrated manner. This must be based on shared responsibility, mutual trust, and respect for sovereignty— which is non-negotiable.”
Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico is committed to tackling organized crime, pointing to the seizure of over 40 tons of drugs, including 20 million fentanyl doses, and the arrest of more than 10,000 individuals linked to drug cartels.
“We categorically reject the White House’s slanderous claims about Mexico’s ties with criminal groups. If there is an alliance anywhere, it is in the United States’ arms industry, which sells high-powered weapons to these cartels—as confirmed by the US Department of Justice in January.”
Proposing a Joint Task Force with the US
Sheinbaum proposed the creation of a working group with top public health and security officials from both countries to address the root causes of the crisis.
“Problems are not solved by imposing tariffs, but through dialogue and cooperation—just as we did in recent weeks with the US State Department on migration,” she said.
She also revealed that Mexico has been in constant communication with US officials on immigration issues.
“The graph President Trump has been sharing about the decline in migration was created by my team, which has been working closely with his administration.”
Mexico’s Plan B: Retaliatory Trade Measures
In response to Trump’s trade tariffs, Sheinbaum has instructed Mexico’s Secretary of Economy to implement countermeasures to protect Mexico’s interests.
“I instruct the Secretary of Economy to implement Plan B, which includes tariff and non-tariff measures in defense of Mexico’s economy. Nothing by force—everything by reason and law.”
Trump’s Justification for Tariffs
Earlier, Trump announced the tariffs via Truth Social, citing the need to protect Americans from illegal immigration and drug smuggling.
“I have implemented a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada (10% on Canadian energy) and a 10% tariff on China. This was done under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) due to the threat posed by illegal aliens and deadly drugs like fentanyl,” Trump stated.
Conclusion: A Growing US-Mexico Trade Standoff?
With Trump’s tariffs now in effect and Mexico’s retaliatory measures on the horizon, tensions between the two neighboring countries are set to escalate. However, Sheinbaum has kept the door open for diplomatic talks, emphasizing that mutual cooperation—not economic penalties—is the way forward.