Mexico's head of state Sheinbaum and the future US President Trump exchanged views on immigration. The result? Apparently a matter of interpretation. Trump spoke of a promised migration stop, Sheinbaum doesn't want to know anything about it.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and US President-elect Donald Trump held a conversation about migration policy. Trump had previously threatened the neighboring country with high tariffs because, in his opinion, immigrants were bringing crime into the country. After the exchange, both appeared satisfied – until their different interpretations became known.
Trump announced on the Truth Social platform that the Mexican head of government had promised to stop migration at the border. “Mexico will immediately prevent people from reaching our southern border. This will significantly curb the illegal invasion of the United States.”
Sheinbaum opposes border closures
Sheinbaum interprets what was said – or not – differently. She dismissed Trump's claims. Mexico's position is not to “close the borders, but to build bridges between governments and between peoples,” she explained on reached the US border.
According to Sheinbaum, the two also discussed increasing cooperation on security issues and Mexico's efforts “to prevent the use of fentanyl.”
Mexico is also threatening tariffs
These are two readings of a conversation that both had previously expressly praised. Before Trump's comments, Sheinbaum reported an “excellent” telephone conversation. Trump also expressed himself positively and wrote of a “wonderful conversation” with the President.
Trump repeatedly portrayed immigrants as criminals – including during the election campaign. Migration was one of his most important campaign topics, and he promised mass deportations by the US military. At the beginning of the week he announced that he would impose import tariffs of 25 percent on Mexico as soon as he took office. He justified the move with drugs and crime from Mexico that come into the country through immigrants.
Before the conversation, Sheinbaum questioned the tariffs and suggested that Mexico could also take such steps.
Migrants want to go to the USA
Mexico has been using its National Guard for years to stop migrants on their way to the USA. Despite the obstacles and dangers, every year tens of thousands of people from South American countries try to flee poverty, violence and political crises across the Mexican border into the USA. Many people die on the dangerous route north – for example from lack of water and heat strokes. Others fall victim to criminal gangs.
