"We are emphatic that there is no motive, reason or justification that supports this decision that will affect our people and nations," declared the President of Mexico today during her "Mañanera del pueblo" conference.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Tuesday morning that Mexico is preparing tariff and non-tariff measures in retaliation for those announced the day before by her U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, against the country and Canada.
"There is no reason, no justification" for the tariffs, the president said, emphasizing the measures Mexico has taken against drug trafficking and fentanyl trafficking to the United States.
He also invited the population to the Zócalo next Sunday in the capital to an informative meeting where he will present Mexico's tariff response.
"We are emphatic, there is no motive, reason or justification that supports this decision that will affect our peoples and nations," said Sheinbaum during her conference "Mañanera del pueblo."
Sheinbaum condemned what she described as a unilateral decision by the United States to impose 25% tariffs on Mexican exports, which was announced last Monday, February 3, by President Donald Trump.
The president also mentioned that her government will respond with tariff and non-tariff measures, but she specified that the details will be announced next Sunday, March 9, at an informational meeting in the Zócalo of Mexico City.
“Yesterday, the United States government, after a 30-day pause, unilaterally decided to impose 25% tariffs on Mexican exports, despite the trade agreement signed by President Trump himself during his first term and despite the fact that in this period of time, in these 30 days, strong actions were taken against organized crime and fentanyl trafficking, as well as bilateral security and trade meetings that reached substantive agreements on cooperation between both countries,” he mentioned during the morning press conference.
The president said that the imposition of tariffs, which will also affect Canada and China, lacks justification and violates the trade agreements established in the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC).
He also strongly rejected a statement issued by the White House on the evening of March 3, calling it "offensive, defamatory and baseless."
The president emphasized that her government has demonstrated results in terms of security and the fight against drug trafficking, recalling that, according to data from the United States Customs and Border Protection Office (CBP), seizures of fentanyl from Mexico at the border have been reduced by 50% between October 2024 and January 2025.
He also mentioned that, although Mexican authorities are collaborating on the issue of drug trafficking to the neighboring country to the north, the government of that nation must take charge of the opioid consumption crisis that has caused so many deaths in that country.
“It is a deep public health problem that must be addressed. They must also act against criminal groups that illegally import fentanyl precursors through their ports and airports, as well as the criminals that illegally produce, distribute and sell fentanyl and other drugs in their territory, poisoning their inhabitants,” said Sheinbaum Pardo.
He also highlighted the arrest of 13,858 people for high-impact crimes and the seizure of 6,998 firearms, 75% of which came from the United States.
“I call on the people of Mexico, on all of us, to face this challenge together, to remain united. I repeat, it is time to defend Mexico and its sovereignty. We must be vigilant and remain calm and cool-headed. Our people and our blessed nation are very strong and powerful,” said the head of the federal Executive.
