When Donald Trump became president in 2016, relations with Mexico were already strained. During his campaign, he criticized Mexico for illegal immigration, famously stating that those coming to the U.S. were not the best. He promised to build a wall and insisted that Mexico would pay for it. This set the stage for a rocky relationship with then-President Enrique Peña Nieto, who faced backlash for not confronting Trump more directly. Peña Nieto eventually canceled meetings with Trump, leading to a significant drop in his popularity back home.
In 2018, a new leader emerged in Mexico: Andrés Manuel López Obrador, often called AMLO. He won a sweeping victory, taking almost every state and gaining control of the Mexican government. López Obrador campaigned on a more confrontational approach toward the U.S., criticizing Trump and his policies. However, once he took office, he surprised many by adopting a friendly stance toward Trump. In 2019, when Trump threatened tariffs over immigration, López Obrador agreed to the "Remain in Mexico" policy, which required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their claims were processed. This approach helped reduce illegal immigration, earning López Obrador praise from Trump.
Fast forward to 2024, Trump’s return to power posed new challenges for Mexico. López Obrador’s presidency ended, and he handed over leadership to Claudia Sheinbaum, the former head of Mexico City. Sheinbaum, who is known for her calm and analytical style, was expected to have a different approach than her predecessor. However, she quickly demonstrated her ability to work with Trump.
One of Trump’s first actions in his second term was to threaten tariffs on Mexico if it didn’t control immigration and drug trafficking. Instead of retaliating, Sheinbaum struck a deal, leveraging existing agreements to enhance border security. This move allowed her to maintain a sense of sovereignty while satisfying Trump’s demands.
Sheinbaum’s administration has also seen a significant increase in drug seizures and arrests, and she has even extradited numerous drug kingpins to the U.S. This cooperation has led to a strong working relationship between the two countries, avoiding the punitive tariffs that could have hurt Mexico’s economy.
Trump has recognized Sheinbaum’s skills as a negotiator, calling her a fantastic person. Their collaboration has helped both leaders address their priorities, with Sheinbaum balancing American demands while maintaining her political independence. As the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico continues to evolve, it remains clear that both leaders are committed to finding common ground, even amid their differing styles and backgrounds.