President Claudia Sheinbaum called on Mexican nationals living in the United States to write letters to the U.S. government, explaining the impact and potential consequences of the tariffs imposed by Donald Trump on Mexico, which, she said, will end up harming American consumers even more.
“For now, I think [immigrants] can send letters to the U.S. government and their congresspeople, talking about the impact that tariffs have on the United States and Mexico, explaining to people what this 25 percent tariff is,” she said.
Sheinbaum made these remarks during her morning press conference at the National Palace, where she pointed out that Mexico is now the United States' main trading partner. "That is, a very important part of what Americans consume is produced here, particularly automobiles," she stated.
She explained that this exportation is linked to a commercial and productive integration.
“This doesn’t mean that complete cars are manufactured here and then exported to the United States, but auto parts are made here, then sent to the U.S., and then return… and then they go to assembly plants, either here or in the U.S. itself.”
“There is a very important economic integration that has been developed over the past 40 years, and particularly in the recent period, after the pandemic, as many companies that were in China decided to come to Mexico to set up here, or existing companies in Mexico decided to expand their capabilities.”
She clarified that this is called the re-shoring of companies.
The president explained that the increase in Mexico’s exports to the U.S. is due to commercial integration, and the idea that it only generates jobs in Mexico is incorrect, as it creates jobs on both sides of the border.
Sheinbaum emphasized that with a 25 percent tax on all Mexican exports, regardless of the product, “it means that what is produced here will cost 25 percent more when it goes to the U.S. If we impose the same tax in return, it will cost another 25 percent to bring it back and send it again, which will increase product prices.”
And while it is true that U.S. President Donald Trump has said that tariffs will make all transport vehicle and auto parts factories move to the U.S., it is not so easy, as production costs in the U.S. are higher, and relocating these companies takes time.
“Products cannot be moved in a day, and their manufacturing will cause a price increase for the consumer. So, on the contrary, we should be promoting greater economic integration that allows us to compete with Asia, because together we are stronger, not separated.”
She also added that using the trafficking of fentanyl as the justification for imposing the 25 percent tax “does not hold water,” given the results from the Mexican government on the matter.
She reiterated that it must be considered that fentanyl consumption in the U.S. does not only come from Mexico, as it has been suggested, and that the drug’s precursors enter through U.S. ports.
“It is also produced, sold, and distributed in the United States. Who does it? Most of them are criminal groups, including many Americans,” she said.
The president clarified that Mexico is not responsible for the opioid consumption in the U.S., “each side must take its share of responsibility. We will always collaborate, as I have said, we don’t want illegal fentanyl to reach anywhere.”
In this regard, she highlighted efforts that have been made in both public health and in dealing with all the crimes committed due to drug trafficking.
She pointed out that this week, around Thursday, she will have a call with President Trump, but a date is still to be determined. However, she said that if the imposition of tariffs continues, which was unilaterally imposed by the U.S. government, it will create a trade war between the two countries, as Mexico will also respond with taxes in order to protect both national and foreign companies operating in the country.
“We will never close ourselves to dialogue; on the contrary, the doors are always open, but we also have to make our own decisions to protect national and foreign industries in Mexico and protect our people. We don’t want to enter a trade war, no one does. That only hurts the people,” she concluded.
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