Things are changing fast.
President-elect Donald Trump recently shared that he had a productive conversation with Mexico’s newly sworn-in president, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, regarding efforts to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking. According to Trump, Sheinbaum had assured him that Mexico would take immediate action to stop the flow of migrants traveling through the country toward the U.S. border. He stated that this agreement would effectively “close” the southern border and was a significant victory for U.S. national security.
Trump emphasized that their discussion also addressed the escalating problem of illegal drugs, especially fentanyl, being smuggled into the United States from Mexico. He underscored the importance of reducing both the supply of these drugs crossing the border and the demand within the U.S., which continues to fuel the crisis. Trump praised the conversation as highly productive and promising for the future of U.S.-Mexico relations on these critical issues.
However, later in the evening, Sheinbaum Pardo took to social media to clarify her position. While she acknowledged the importance of addressing migration, she explained that Mexico’s approach focuses on managing migration more comprehensively while respecting human rights. She made it clear that Mexico’s goal is not to close its borders, but to offer assistance to migrants and address the issue before they reach the U.S. Sheinbaum also emphasized the need for cooperation between both governments to handle the situation responsibly.
Trump, undeterred by the clarification, has been clear about his plans to implement tough measures to tackle illegal immigration and drug smuggling once he takes office. As part of his strategy, Trump announced that he intends to impose significant tariffs on Mexican goods unless the country takes stronger action to control illegal immigration and drug flows. These tariffs would also extend to other countries such as Canada and China.
Furthermore, Trump outlined plans to reinstate policies from his previous administration, such as the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their immigration cases were processed. He also vowed to initiate a historic deportation effort to remove millions of illegal immigrants from the U.S., leveraging military assets if necessary.
In addition to these border security measures, Trump announced plans for a nationwide advertising campaign aimed at educating the public about the dangers of fentanyl. The campaign is expected to highlight the devastating impact of the drug on American communities, with the goal of raising awareness and reducing its spread.
With these strong, action-oriented proposals, Trump is positioning himself to take a hardline stance on illegal immigration and drug trafficking, signaling that his administration will prioritize border security and public safety.