Last week, a large group of migrants, often called a “migrant caravan,” moved through Huehuetan in southern Mexico, heading for the U.S. border.
However, there’s been a disagreement between Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump over how to handle migration.
After a phone call, Trump posted online that Sheinbaum had agreed to stop migration through Mexico and effectively close the border to the U.S.
However, Sheinbaum quickly denied this, explaining that Mexico’s approach is to manage migration while respecting human rights. She said Mexico would not close its borders but would work on solutions that build cooperation between countries.
Trump’s strong stance on tariffs has also caused tension. He announced that when he takes office in January, he will impose a 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada and a 10% tariff on China.
He says the tariffs on Mexico and Canada will stay until illegal immigration and drug trafficking stop, while the tariff on China is tied to the smuggling of fentanyl. Sheinbaum responded firmly, saying Mexico would raise its own tariffs if the U.S. starts a trade war.
According to BBC, Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard called Trump’s plan “a shot in the foot,” arguing that it violates the USMCA trade deal that Trump himself negotiated in 2018. Ebrard also emphasized the need for regional cooperation, not trade wars.
The BBC reported that Sheinbaum initially described her conversation with Trump as “excellent” and shared that migrant caravans were being managed in Mexico, preventing them from reaching the U.S. border. But Trump later posted that Mexico would immediately stop migration to the U.S., prompting Sheinbaum to clarify again that Mexico’s strategy focuses on human rights and cooperation, not border closures.
Meanwhile, Canada is also worried about Trump’s tariff threats. BBC shared that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with provincial leaders to discuss a united response. However, there were concerns about Trudeau’s ability to handle negotiations with Trump due to past conflicts between the two leaders.
In the broader context, BBC explained that migration became a hot topic in the recent U.S. election. Trump’s promise to seal the southern border helped him win, while outgoing President Joe Biden had already introduced policies that reduced illegal crossings.
Under U.S. pressure, Mexico has been cracking down on migrants, moving them to southern Mexico to prevent them from reaching the U.S. border. This has left many migrants exhausted and out of money, forcing thousands to give up and return home.
BBC pointed out that when Trump takes office, he will inherit a situation where illegal crossings at the southern border are at their lowest in four years, partly due to Mexico’s efforts and Biden’s recent restrictions.
This reflects a complex issue where migration, trade, and diplomacy are deeply interconnected.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c89v4w51dzyo