The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, has drawn international attention and gained internal popularity as a month has passed since the inauguration of the new U.S. President, Donald Trump. This is due to her handling of tariff threats, cooperation against drug trafficking, and migration.
In a morning conference, Sheinbaum defended her "cold-headed" strategy, responding only to what is literally dictated by the decrees of the new U.S. president and promoting investments in Mexico despite economic volatility. In the words of the leader, "we believe it will be a good year despite any uncertainty".
Experts such as José Joel Peña, a professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), highlight Sheinbaum's calculated and diplomatic attitude towards Trump. This strategy is seen as an acknowledgment of the need to prioritize national interests and avoid confrontational situations that could harm the country's economy and internal stability.
A crucial point in Sheinbaum's mandate was the month-long suspension of tariffs she achieved after a call with Trump, committing to deploy 10,000 elements of the Mexican National Guard at the border to tackle drug and migrant trafficking. International media such as The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and CNN praised her management of the situation and her firmness with Trump.
Sheinbaum has managed to increase her internal popularity, with an approval rating close to 80%, while experts like William Jensen from the Mexican Council on International Affairs point out that she has leveraged the crisis with the United States to consolidate her image and distinguish herself from her predecessor López Obrador. However, there are persistent challenges, such as the downward revision of Mexico's economic growth forecast for 2025 and criticism from organizations regarding the use of Armed Forces against migrants.
