At the beginning of the tensions between Mexico and the United States during the Donald Trump era, President Claudia Sheinbaum has chosen to contain any counteroffensive. The strategy seems to be one of not acting hastily, planning a defense day by day considering the scenario and evaluating the risks involved.
Confronted with a problematic trinity, Sheinbaum finds herself in a delicate position. Trump has outlined an attack plan that includes threats related to the USMCA to pressure decisions on border topics that are of interest to his electorate. In this sense, the president seeks to avoid tariffs in exchange for working on issues such as migration and security, highlighting the decrease in undocumented cases and efforts against drug trafficking.
Sheinbaum acknowledges her limited resources and the need to maximize her effectiveness. Her strategy includes stopping more migrants in the south to reduce pressure on the northern border and thereby hope to achieve favorable results in the tariff negotiation with the new US president.
The president demonstrates a pragmatic and executive approach in addressing the challenges, combining actions to prevent humanitarian problems in the north and gain points with Trump. On security issues, she faces pressure from Washington and the need to demonstrate results quickly to avoid direct US interventions.
The return of the 'Remain in Mexico' program has been accepted by Sheinbaum as part of the strategy to manage the relationship with the United States, facilitating the return of Mexican citizens. However, on the security agenda, a greater challenge looms in trying to convince Washington of Mexico's capacity to address issues such as fentanyl trafficking.
In this context, Sheinbaum is faced with the complex task of balancing Trump's demands with defending Mexico's interests, prioritizing economic stability through the USMCA. The president's strategy focuses on maintaining calm and resisting the blows in migration and security matters, trying to stay the course amid a difficult juncture.
