Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum warned on Wednesday that Mexico would seek alternative trade partners if necessary in response to US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs.
Sheinbaum stated that Mexico must make important decisions for the future and would not hesitate to explore other trade alliances if Washington continues imposing economic restrictions.
On Tuesday, she announced plans for retaliatory tariffs against the US and called for a mass gathering in Mexico City’s main square on Sunday to outline her government’s response. Despite this, she signaled a willingness to negotiate and expects to speak with Trump on Thursday.
“The doors to dialogue must always be open,” she said.
Trump has linked the new 25-percent tariffs on Mexican goods to fentanyl trafficking and illegal migration. In response, Mexico has taken steps to combat drug flows, including extraditing high-profile cartel leaders to the US.
The US remains Mexico’s top trading partner, purchasing over 80 percent of its exports. Sheinbaum accused Washington of breaching the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which was renegotiated under Trump’s first presidency and is set for review next year.
“Are we to blame for companies choosing Mexico to export to the US? No, it’s the result of a good relationship since Trump’s first term and the trade agreement that came before,” she said.
