President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday that the Mexican government will wait and see what happens with the tariffs that the United States has threatened to apply to Mexican products starting this Tuesday.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday that her government will wait and see what happens with the tariffs that the United States has threatened to apply to Mexican products starting Tuesday, but announced that she has a plan if they occur.
Sheinbaum Pardo said that her government maintains constant communication with the United States authorities on matters of security and trade, given the possibility that the government of that country imposes new tariffs on Mexican products.
"We will wait and see what happens. We must be calm and patient in this matter," said the president, who stressed that the final decision is in the hands of Trump, with whom she did not rule out talks before the deadline for the imposition of tariffs is met.
Asked if there was a possibility of telephone contact with former President Donald Trump, Sheinbaum replied that "anything is possible" and reiterated that her government is keeping all avenues of dialogue open.
"We have been in communication, we have made the necessary agreements and coordination, but it is a decision that depends on the United States government. Whatever this decision is, we will also make our own," he stressed.
Following the announcement of tariffs by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick that the neighboring country to the north would impose tariffs on products shipped by Mexico starting Tuesday, March 4, the head of the Mexican federal executive said that the final resolution must be awaited, without generating unnecessary alarm.
"The meetings in the United States have been very good. There is constant communication with the different areas, both security and trade, and we will wait and see what happens. In this we must have composure, serenity and patience," he said.
Regarding Trump's threat to impose tariffs on Mexican products, Sheinbaum reiterated that the final decision depends on the former US president. "If he makes a decision, we will also make ours," she said.
On the other hand, Sheinbaum Pardo emphasized that her government has planned different scenarios in the event of the tariffs coming into force. "We have plan A, plan B, plan C and plan D."
RELATIONSHIP IN SECURITY
Regarding bilateral relations in terms of security, the president indicated that in meetings with U.S. authorities, issues such as fentanyl and arms trafficking were discussed.
"We want to reduce the flow of fentanyl into the United States and other drugs. We want to stop drugs and weapons from coming from the United States to Mexico," he stressed.
The head of the Executive referred to the fact that “there is a reduction in fentanyl seizures from October to 2024. This is from January, the February figure should be 49.94%, that is, they are seizing half of what they seized in October,” according to figures from the United States Customs and Border Protection Office (CBP).
The president questioned the narrative that fentanyl precursors only enter the United States through Mexico: "Is absolutely everything that enters the United States checked?" she asked, suggesting that responsibility also falls on the neighboring country.
He also highlighted the work of the security cabinet in capturing alleged criminals and specified that 17 of the 29 recently extradited were arrested during the six-year term of Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Sheinbaum also rejected criticism of AMLO's security policy, stating that "there was never talk of hugging criminals, but rather hugging young people," referring to the strategy of addressing the causes of violence implemented in recent years.
