In addition to Trump's executive orders aimed at Mexico, Sheinbaum also spoke about Trump's deportation plan and the decline in migrant arrivals at the Mexico-U.S. border. (Gustavo Alberto/Cuartoscuro)
At her morning press conference on Tuesday, President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to some of the executive orders signed by Donald Trump on the first day of his second term. She also spoke about Trump’s deportation plan and the decline in migrant arrivals at the Mexico-U.S. border.
Here are some of the president’s key quotes from her Tuesday mañanera.
On Trump’s declaration of an ’emergency’ at the US southern border
“It’s not something new. [The same thing] occurred in 2019. … At that time there was cooperation between the government of the United States of President Trump and the government of Mexico of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. So it is not something new.”
Sheinbaum used her daily town hall to highlight the “humanistic” nature of her government and the common interests that Mexico shares with the United States. (Gustavo Alberto/Cuartoscuro)
On Trump’s order for the resumption of the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy
“We have our own immigration policy but we’re also a humanitarian government. If there is a person at the border, we act in a humanitarian way, even more so now because it’s so cold. We’re not going to leave people exposed to the elements. So we act in a humanitarian way and in the case of foreigners we seek repatriation to their countries.”
On Trump’s plan to designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations
“They can act and must act in their territory. … Criminal organizations that sell fentanyl and other drugs also operate inside the United States. So, in their territory, they act. With respect to Mexico, [we stand for] the defense of our sovereignty and always seek dialogue for cooperation without subordination.”
“We all want to combat drug cartels, that is clear. So what do we have to do? We have to coordinate efforts and collaborate — them in their territory and us in our territory.”
On Trump’s order to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America
“For us it continues being the Gulf of Mexico and for the whole world it continues being the Gulf of Mexico.”
On Trump’s plan to deport large numbers of immigrants
“Mexicans in the United States support a large part of the United States economy, and the U.S. government knows that. [But] in case of deportations, [the deportees] are welcome here. Besides, Mexico is a growing country, a country in development. … We’ll embrace Mexicans [deported from the U.S.]”
On the decline in migrant numbers at the Mexico-US border
Both Mexican and foreign companies are expected to benefit from the decree. (Shutterstock)
On Tuesday, President Claudia Sheinbaum signed a ‘“nearshoring decree” listing a package of fiscal incentives for new investments worth up to 30 billion pesos (US $1.46 billion).
The incentives will be available for companies investing in Mexico or spending on training and innovation. The decree has been published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) and will enter into force tomorrow, Jan. 22.
The decree is part of a range of actions being developed to support Sheinbaum’s Plan México. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartocuro)
Out of the total funds available, 28.5 billion pesos ($1.38 billion) are earmarked for investment in new fixed assets and 1.5 billion pesos ($72.7 million) will go towards training and innovation expenses.
To administer the stimulus package, the government will create an Evaluation Committee with representatives from the Finance and Economy Ministries, as well as the Advisory Council for Regional Economic Development and Relocation.
Eligible companies must apply for tax incentives and may be issued a certificate of compliance by the Evaluation Committee. The committee will then assess projects for their suitability and will determine the maximum tax incentive companies can apply for each fiscal year.
To encourage small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to apply for incentives, the government has allocated at least 1 billion pesos ($48.4 million) for companies with total annual earnings of less than 100 million pesos ($4.8 million).
According to the decree, companies can deduct anywhere between 35% and 91% for investments in machinery, equipment and fixed assets.
During Sheinbaum’s presentation of Plan México on Jan. 13, the president asserted that there is already US $277 billion in the investment pipeline from companies that want to come to Mexico, spread across some 2,000 projects.
The Evaluation Committee must publish guidelines for the granting of fiscal incentives in the DOF within 60 days.
Just hours after his inauguration as the 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump signed a number of executive orders directly related to Mexico. (Donald Trump/Facebook)
Just hours after his inauguration as the 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump signed a number of executive orders directly related to Mexico.
At least some of those orders have the potential to have a significant impact on the Mexico-United States relationship, especially in the early period of Trump’s second presidency.
Some of the executive orders signed by Trump yesterday could have a significant impact on the Mexico-United States relationship. (Shutterstock)
President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Tuesday that she will maintain “a cool head” and respond “step by step” to the actions taken by Trump on the first day of his second term.
Here is a summary of five Mexico-related executive orders Trump signed in the Oval Office of the White House on Monday night.
1. Emergency at the United States’ southern border
“That’s a big one, a lot of big ones, huh?” Trump said after an aide announced the order he was about to sign.
The declaration of an emergency at the United States-Mexico border allows the president to access funding for border wall construction without approval from the U.S. Congress.
In the executive order, Trump said that “America’s sovereignty is under attack.”
“Our southern border is overrun by cartels, criminal gangs, known terrorists, human traffickers, smugglers, unvetted military-age males from foreign adversaries, and illicit narcotics that harm Americans. … This invasion has caused widespread chaos and suffering in our country over the last four years,” he said.
Among the directives Trump issued in his executive order were the following:
The deployment of the U.S. military “to support the activities of the Secretary of Homeland Security in obtaining complete operational control of the southern border of the United States.”
The construction of “additional physical barriers along the southern border.”
The prioritization of “the impedance and denial of the unauthorized physical entry of aliens across the southern border of the United States.”
Construction of the United States-Mexico border wall at the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in southern Arizona. (Laiken Jordahl/Center for Biological Diversity)
The New York Times reported Monday that involving the U.S. military in border security tasks “would draw immediate legal challenges because of the strict limits in American law for how the armed forces can be deployed inside the country.”
2. Drug cartels could be designated as foreign terrorist organizations
“Within 14 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of State shall take all appropriate action … to make a recommendation regarding the designation of any cartel or other organization described in section 1 of this order as a Foreign Terrorist Organization,” the order said.
The terrorist designation will likely apply to powerful Mexican criminal organizations such as the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
“That’s a big one,” Trump said just before signing the executive order.
“People have wanted to do this for years. So they are now designated as terrorist organizations foreign. Mexico probably doesn’t want that but we have to do it. … They’re killing our people, they’re killing 250,000 to 300,000 American people a year, not 100 [thousand] like has been reported,” he said referring to drug overdose deaths.
A member of Mexico’s military in Apodaca, Nuevo León, readying to incinerate over 950 kilograms of illicit drugs confiscated from Mexican cartels in December 2024. (Gabriela Pérez Montiel/Cuartoscuro)
Trump’s executive order said that “the Cartels have engaged in a campaign of violence and terror throughout the Western Hemisphere that has not only destabilized countries with significant importance for our national interests but also flooded the United States with deadly drugs, violent criminals, and vicious gangs.”
It also said that “it is the policy of the United States to ensure the total elimination of these organizations’ presence in the United States and their ability to threaten the territory, safety, and security of the United States through their extraterritorial command-and-control structures.”
Asked whether he would consider “ordering U.S. special forces into Mexico” to “take out” cartels, Trump said it “could happen.”
3. Trump orders resumption of Remain in Mexico policy
The 47th U.S. president also signed an executive order entitled “Securing our borders.”
“My Administration will marshal all available resources and authorities to stop this unprecedented flood of illegal aliens into the United States,” Trump said in the order.
In it, he ordered the resumption of Migrant Protection Protocols, as the Remain in Mexico policy was formally known.
Migrants expecting to carry out their asylum process in the United States faced an uncertain future yesterday after Donald Trump signed an executive order indicating a return to the Remain in Mexico policy of his first administration. (Omar Martínez/Cuartoscuro)
The policy, implemented by Trump during his first term as president, required asylum seekers who arrived at the Mexico-United States border to remain in Mexico as they awaited U.S. immigration court hearings. The Mexican government is opposed to the reactivation of the policy, which would appear to hinder Trump’s plan.
In his “Securing our borders” executive order, Trump also ordered the Secretary of Homeland Security to “cease using the ‘CBP One’ application as a method of paroling or facilitating the entry of otherwise inadmissible aliens into the United States.”
An update on the CBP One website states that “effective January 20, 2025, the functionalities of CBP One that previously allowed undocumented aliens to submit advance information and schedule appointments at eight southwest border ports of entry is no longer available, and existing appointments have been cancelled.”
In another executive order — “Guaranteeing the states protection against invasion” — Trump directed that the entry of “aliens engaged in the invasion across the southern border” be suspended “until I issue a finding that the invasion at the southern border has ceased.”
4. Trump orders renaming of the Gulf of Mexico
In his inauguration speech, Trump declared that “a short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) is already recognizing the “Gulf Of America” in an official executive order pertaining to an emergency winter weather order. pic.twitter.com/DHZx91vFnp
In addition to ordering the reinstatement of the name Mount McKinley (the mountain in Alaska was renamed Denali in 2015), Trump directed that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America.
“Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior shall … take all appropriate actions to rename as the ‘Gulf of America’ the U.S. Continental Shelf area bounded on the northeast, north, and northwest by the States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida and extending to the seaward boundary with Mexico and Cuba in the area formerly named as the Gulf of Mexico,” the executive order said.
The order also said that “the area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico has long been an integral asset to our once burgeoning Nation and has remained an indelible part of America.”
5. Trump sets the stage for tariffs on Mexican exports
Among a large number of presidential actions on his first day in office, Trump also issued an “America First Trade Policy” memorandum.
As we reported here, Trump said on Monday night that his administration could impose a 25% tariff on Mexican and Canadian exports to the U.S. on Feb. 1.
No day one tariffs, but orders signed directing Pres Trump officials to deliver reports to him on “unfair trade practices”, “currency manipulation” and “discriminatory” foreign taxes.
The president’s trade policy memo directed the Secretary of Commerce to “investigate the causes of our country’s large and persistent annual trade deficits in goods, as well as the economic and national security implications and risks resulting from such deficits, and recommend appropriate measures, such as a global supplemental tariff or other policies, to remedy such deficits.”
President Claudia Sheinbaum has said that her government will seek to avert the proposed tariff on Mexican exports through dialogue with the Trump administration.
Gabriela Siller, director of economic analysis at Mexico’s Banco Base, said on X on Tuesday that it is “highly unlikely that Trump will impose a general 25% tariff on all products from Mexico, at least not for a long period of time.”
“A 25% tariff would be equivalent to leaving the USMCA,” she said.
“This would mean a structural change for the Mexican economy that would result in a severe recession, job losses, an increase in [employment] informality to rates above 60% and an increase in public insecurity,” Siller said.
She also warned that a 25% tariff on Mexican exports to the U.S. would result in “increases in the exchange rate to historic maximums,” i.e. a significant weakening of the Mexican peso against the US dollar.
For the United States, a 25% tariff on Mexican exports “would mean supply change disruptions, a sharp rise in inflation, a higher interest rate and lower economic growth,” Siller said.
The route offers four weekly flights to Puerto Vallarta from John F. Kennedy International on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. (Unsplash)
New York City is now connected via a non-stop flight to Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, for the first time. The new flight addresses the increasing demand from international tourists for one of Mexico’s most popular beach destinations on the Pacific coast.
The route, operated by Alaska Airlines, offers four weekly flights to Puerto Vallarta from John F. Kennedy International on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
— Secretaría de Turismo de Jalisco (@Secturjal) January 11, 2025
The flight has a duration of approximately six hours and offers the following schedule:
Leaving JFK at 9:30 a.m., and reaching PVR at 1:24 p.m. (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
Leaving PVR at 4:09 p.m., and reaching JFK at 10:29 p.m. (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
During the inaugural flight ceremony on Jan. 13, Jalisco’s Tourism Minister, Michelle Fridman Hirsch, noted that the route will help boost tourism, strengthen the local economy and promote nearby tourist offerings, like Costalegre and the rest of Jalisco state.
Alaska Airlines operates the flight on a Boeing 737-900 aircraft with a capacity for 178 passengers, adding 1,246 seats per week to Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR).
Alaska Airlines is the fifth largest operator at PVR in terms of seat capacity and passenger flow. The carrier currently connects PVR with 11 cities, including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Seattle, positioning itself as a key partner in promoting the sunny destination with international travelers.
PVR is one of Mexico’s top 10 airports in terms of passenger traffic. According to the managing company Grupo Aeropuertuario del Pacífico (GAP), PVR reached a historical high of 6.8 million passengers in 2024 — just 0.2% over the 6.7 million passengers it recorded in 2023.
Major departure airports for PVR in Mexico include Mexico City, Tijuana, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. Airports in the U.S. with frequent connections to Puerto Vallarta include Los Angeles, Dallas, Phoenix, San Francisco and Houston, as well as Vancouver in Canada.
In the first three weeks of 2025, Mexico's navy has confiscated 8.4 tonnes of methamphetamines and 68 tonnes of chemical substances from 10 narco-labs. (Semar/X)
The same day U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order saying he would designate drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, federal authorities in Mexico announced they had dismantled two huge narco-labs in the northwestern state of Sinaloa.
The joint action by Mexico’s Naval Ministry (Semar) and the Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR) resulted in the confiscation of 103 kilograms of methamphetamine, more than 27,350 liters of liquid precursor chemicals and nearly 20,000 kilograms of chemical substances used in the fabrication of synthetic drugs.
En trabajo conjunto con la Fiscalía General de la República #FGR, localizamos y neutralizamos dos laboratorios clandestinos presuntamente empleados para la elaboración de estupefacientes, en inmediaciones del poblado de los Cedros, municipio de Culiacán,… pic.twitter.com/95Thmjs64I
The newspaper La Jornada estimated that the bust cost drug cartels more than US $4 million.
The two laboratories were discovered near the rural village of Los Cedros in the municipality of Culiacán, Sinaloa. Also discovered in the raid were three reactors, five distillers, and a variety of tubs, containers and generators that are typically used to produce synthetic drugs.
All the materials found at the two sites were destroyed, Semar reported.
In a post to social media, Semar remarked that with this most recent seizure, Mexico has dismantled 10 clandestine laboratories and confiscated 8.4 tonnes of methamphetamines, as well as 68 tonnes of chemical substances during the first three weeks of the year.
In a separate press release, Mexico reported that soldiers operating nearby had discovered another suspected drug production operation, impounding 2,350 liters and 100 kilos of materials that could be used to manufacture methamphetamine.
Federal authorities estimate the value of these confiscated materials at about 56 million pesos (US $2.7 million).
Hours after being sworn in as the 47th U.S. president on Monday, Trump signed the executive order that described Mexican drug cartels as “[a threat to] the safety of the American people, the security of the United States, and the stability of the international order in the Western Hemisphere.”
The order continues: “The Cartels have engaged in a campaign of violence and terror throughout the Western Hemisphere that has not only destabilized countries with significant importance for our national interests but also flooded the United States with deadly drugs, violent criminals, and vicious gangs.”
The latest raids conducted by Mexican authorities occurred in the region dominated by the notorious Sinaloa Cartel. Last Friday, Mexico’s Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said that operations carried out in Sinaloa since Oct. 1 have weakened the Sinaloa Cartel, according to the newspaper El Informador.
In addition to the destruction of narco-labs, Mexican federal authorities have recently located and destroyed 37 hectares of poppy (used to produce heroin) and 21 hectares of marijuana, La Jornada reported.
Head down to the Banorte Nación de Vinos exhibition at Mexico City's Campo Marte and discover the diverse world of Mexican wine. (Industrial News/X)
The world of wine in Mexico is no longer just a whisper among connoisseurs; it’s a full-throated shout from the rooftops of Polanco. And right there, in the heart of Mexico City, Banorte Nación de Vinos is gearing up to pour its sixth edition. This isn’t just any wine festival though — it’s a declaration that Mexican wine has arrived and it’s not quietly sipping in the corner anymore.
Campo Marte will transform into a bacchanalian paradise on Jan. 22 and 23 as over 80 wineries from 17 Mexican states descend upon the capital, each bringing a little taste of their terroir, toil and triumphs. For anyone who wants to understand how Mexico’s winemaking scene has evolved from Baja California’s well-trodden paths to the upstart regions of Jalisco, Puebla, and Hidalgo, Nación de Vinos is an informative and delicious dive into the history of wine.
Nación de Vinos brings together the best of the Mexican wine scene — and some of the country’s best restaurants. (Banorte Nación de Vinos)
The giants and the underdogs
The heavy hitters are all here — Monte Xanic, Santo Tomás, L.A. Cetto, Casa Madero, La Redonda and Freixenet. These names are the pillars of Mexican viticulture, vineyards that laid the groundwork for what’s become a booming industry.
Speaking of giants, Guanajuato is very much a staple of this year’s event. The El Bajío region has been quietly cultivating its own identity over the last few decades, and now it’s ready to roar. Cuna de Tierra, Viñedo San Miguel, and Tres Raíces are just a few of the players making waves. These vineyards have decided that making wine isn’t just about following tradition — it’s about redefining it.
A feast for the senses
For the first time, Banorte Nación de Vinos throws open its doors to the public, inviting everyone to taste the transformation. Tickets are 8,000 pesos, with high-end restaurants like La Docena, Quintonil, Rosetta, and Caracol de Mar serving dishes that are as much a part of the experience as the wines themselves. Each plate is designed to waltz with the grapes, enhancing the flavors and elevating the experience. It’s a masterclass in pairing, a testament to the idea that food and wine are inextricably linked.
The vineyard is on 15 hectares of land in San Luis Potosí and features a historic hacienda on the property. (Pozo de Luna)
In the Nation Space, producers and distributors will gather, not just to showcase their wares but to forge connections. Here, the lines between producer and consumer blur. Winemakers will rub elbows with sommeliers, chefs will chat with oenophiles and everyone will leave with a deeper understanding of what makes Mexican wine tick.
This year though, it’s the state of San Luis Potosí that takes center stage. Once an afterthought in the wine conversation, it’s now the guest of honor, and for good reason. Wineries like Pozo de Luna, Viñedo Bodega 1881, and Cava Quintanilla are leading a quiet revolution. These vineyards are producing wines that demand attention and tell stories of resilience and innovation.
The Best of San Luis Potosí
San Luis Potosí’s winemaking history dates back to the late 18th century. The Valley of San Francisco was where it all began, a fertile ground that’s now home to more than seven wineries.
Serious about Mexican wine? Not if you haven’t tried Cava Quintanilla yet. (Cava Quintanilla)
A visit to San Luis Potosí’s wineries is a must for any serious wine lover. Cava Quintanilla, with its white and red varietals, is a standout, offering tours that are as educational as they are enjoyable. La Malaca, surrounded by walnut trees and lavender fields, is known for its sweet wines and artisanal products like organic soaps and marmalades.
Pozo de Luna is another highlight, crafting high-quality wines from Nebbiolo grapes, including a stunning rosé. Viñedos 1881, with its adobe walls and storied history, offers a blend of tradition and modern winemaking techniques.
San Luis Potosí’s capital is more than just a gateway to great wine. Its colonial architecture, Huichol art, and nearby natural wonders like waterfalls and Real de Catorce make it a destination worth exploring. The Rebozo Museum and local culinary delights, from enchiladas potosinas to fine dining, round out the experience, ensuring that a visit to this state is about more than just what’s in the glass.
So — will you take the dive into the incredible world of Mexican wine and gastronomy this week?
Diana Serratos studied at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and UNCUYO in Mendoza, Argentina, where she lived for over 15 years. She specializes in wines and beverages, teaching aspiring sommeliers at several universities. She conducts courses, tastings and specialized training.
Sheinbaum made the comments in response to Trump's executive order declaring a national emergency at the U.S. border with Mexico. (Gustavo Alberto/Cuartoscuro)
In response to the initial actions taken by U.S. President Donald Trump on his first day in office, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum on Tuesday said she will maintain “a cool head” and respond ”step by step.”
Following his inauguration as the 47th U.S. president on Monday, Trump issued a flurry of executive orders, five of which directly impact Mexico, according to the newspaper La Jornada.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has urged Mexican immigrants in the US to remain calm. Her statement came after President Trump announced he would declare a national emergency at the US-Mexico border and begin the process of deporting millions of people. pic.twitter.com/pAo4Unclm3
Trump declared a national emergency at its border with Mexico, signed an executive order that could result in Mexican drug cartels being designated as terrorist organizations, and suggested he could apply an across-the-board 25% duty on Mexican goods beginning in February.
Flanked by her foreign and interior ministers at her Tuesday morning press conference, Sheinbaum assured the Mexican public that she will protect Mexico’s interests while also pursuing dialogue with Trump amid the border alarm.
“Regarding the decrees that President Donald Trump signed yesterday, I would like to say the following: The people of Mexico can be sure that we will always defend our sovereignty and our independence,” she said, according to the news agency Reuters.
In recent weeks, Sheinbaum has said Mexico could retaliate to U.S. tariffs with tariffs of its own, but she declined to respond in kind on Tuesday.
“It’s always important to have a cool head,” she said, declaring she would insist on respectful relations while trying to avoid confrontations.
Julio Ruiz, chief economist for Mexico at Citigroup investment bank, told Reuters that Sheinbaum is attempting to calm things down and separate concrete actions from political rhetoric.
“One thing is what’s already signed, and another is these casual comments,” he said. “You have to distinguish between those two things, and … she’s trying to give that message to the market and to the population in general.”
The activists told the news agency EFE that this gesture represents their rejection of the anti-immigration and protectionist policies of Donald Trump. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)
Dozens of activists held a demonstration on Monday outside of the United States Embassy in Mexico City, where they beat and burned a piñata resembling Donald Trump, which eventually went up in flames.
The activists told the news agency EFE that this gesture represents their rejection of the anti-immigration and protectionist policies of Donald Trump, who assumed a new presidential term in the U.S. on Monday.
The protesters beat and burned the Donald Trump piñata, which eventually went up in flames. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)
The protesters said Trump’s policies go against the human rights of migrants, describing his intended plans as “abusive and inhumane.”
María García, one of the activists, told EFE that burning a Donald Trump piñata has become a symbol of protest since his first term as president between 2017 and 2021. In 2020, protesters at the U.S.-Mexico border burned piñatas resembling Trump and a Border Patrol agent in response to rising migrant deaths.
García added that in light of the potential threat of mass deportations, Mexico will implement a comprehensive program involving civil society organizations and all three levels of government. She also acknowledged the sense of hopelessness some migrants feel due to Trump’s rhetoric.
“All these programs are already functioning,” García said. “The countryman card (tarjeta paisano) will open the door [for Mexicans returning from the U.S.] to have medical service, access to a job, their documentation, etc. It is a complete program. We had never seen something like it.”
A man dressed as a tree holds signs telling Donald Trump to respect biodiversity and that “we are all migrants.” (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)
Marsha Beya Rubyn, migrant human rights activist and president of the “Orgullo Diverso de México” collective, told EFE that these policies have created unity among migrants of various nationalities.
“Our migrant brothers contribute great work and taxes to the United States economy and therefore they are migrant heroes, both those from Mexico and Latin America,” Rubyn said. “Donald Trump has not realized that he is achieving something [unintended]: the unity of all migrants in the world,” Rubyn stressed.
Meanwhile, other protesters marched through the main streets of Mexico City, chanting slogans in defense of human rights. They demanded a halt to discriminatory policies that, they claim, affect both migrants and bilateral relations between Mexico and the U.S.
The march partially flooded Paseo de la Reforma, Mexico’s landmark avenue, and finished outside of the U.S. Embassy on the same street.
Earlier this month, President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed confidence that she would have a good relationship with Trump. However, Mexicans are split over whether that will be the case. According to a recent poll by the newspaper El Universal, 46% of Mexicans believe Sheinbaum will have a good relationship with Trump, while 44% expect the two to have a bad relationship.
Trump announced the tariff's implementation date on Monday night as he signed a batch of executive orders from the Oval Office. (Screen capture)
United States President Donald Trump said Monday that his administration could impose a 25% tariff on Mexican and Canadian exports to the U.S. on Feb. 1, almost two weeks later than he previously planned.
“We’re thinking in terms of 25% on Mexico and Canada because they’re allowing vast numbers of people … to come in and fentanyl to come in,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday night as he signed a batch of executive orders.
“We’re thinking in terms of 25% on Mexico and Canada because they’re allowing vast numbers of people … to come in and fentanyl to come in,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday night. (X)
Asked when he would enact the tariffs, the newly-inaugurated president said Feb. 1.
“I think we’ll do it February first,” he said.
CNBC reported that there has been speculation that U.S. tariffs on Mexico and Canada exports “might be targeted at certain essential items rather than being more broad-based.”
In any case, they would violate the terms of the USMCA, the North American free trade pact that superseded NAFTA in 2020.
Tariffs would also have a potentially calamitous effect on the Mexican export industry — which sent goods worth more than US $466 billion to the U.S. in the first 11 months of last year — and the Mexican economy in general. Gabriela Siller, director of economic analysis at Mexico’s Banco Base, said late last year that the Mexican economy would go into recession if Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Mexican exports to the United States.
In late November, Trump pledged to impose a 25% tariff on all Mexican and Canadian exports to the United States on the first day of his second term as U.S. president. He said at the time that the tariff would remain in effect “until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!”
President Sheinbaum previously said that Mexico would impose a 25% retaliatory tariff on U.S. exports to Mexico if Trump followed through, but now emphasizes that her government will avert the new tariffs entirely. (Moisés Pablo Nava/Cuartoscuro)
President Claudia Sheinbaum subsequently said that Mexico would impose a 25% retaliatory tariff on U.S. exports to Mexico if Trump followed through on his tariff threat. She said last week that her government would seek to avert the proposed tariff through dialogue with the Trump administration.
Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said in November that Mexico would be shooting itself in the foot if it imposed a 25% tariff on Mexican exports, asserting that such a duty would have an adverse impact on consumers in the United States and cause the loss of “around 400,000 jobs” in the U.S. Last week, he expressed confidence that Mexico would be able to stave off the proposed tariff.
“I guarantee you we’re going to find [a way out],” Ebrard said.
While Trump’s stated reason for imposing tariffs on the United States’ North American trade partners is the entry of migrants and drugs from Mexico and Canada, the U.S. president also dislikes the fact that the U.S. has trade deficits with its two neighbors.
“We’re subsidizing Canada to the tune of over $100 billion a year. We’re subsidizing Mexico for almost $300 billion,” he said in December, significantly exaggerating the United States’ trade deficits with both countries.
“We shouldn’t be — why are we subsidizing these countries? If we’re going to subsidize them, let them become a state. We’re subsidizing Mexico and we’re subsidizing Canada and we’re subsidizing many countries all over the world,” Trump said.
Trump issues ‘America First Trade Policy’ memo
While he didn’t keep his promise to impose tariffs on Mexican exports on the first day of his presidency, Trump did issue an “American First Trade Policy” memorandum that paves the way for the implementation of protectionist measures.
Ever wondered why President Trump is so fixated with Canada and Mexico? This is the share of those country’s goods in all US food & agri imports. Read more here https://t.co/f9Qu9TTH75pic.twitter.com/DQ108gygZI
The memo said that “the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the United States Trade Representative, shall investigate the causes of our country’s large and persistent annual trade deficits in goods, as well as the economic and national security implications and risks resulting from such deficits, and recommend appropriate measures, such as a global supplemental tariff or other policies, to remedy such deficits.”
It also said that “the United States Trade Representative, in consultation with the heads of other relevant executive departments and agencies, shall assess the impact of the USMCA on American workers, farmers, ranchers, service providers, and other businesses and make recommendations regarding the United States’ participation in the agreement.”
“I’ll … seek strong new protections against transshipment, so that China and other countries cannot smuggle their products and auto parts into the United States tax free through Mexico to the detriment of our workers and our supply chains,” he said in October.
In his inauguration speech in the United States Capitol Rotunda, Trump said he would “immediately begin the overhaul of our trade system to protect American workers and families.”
“Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries, we will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens. For this purpose, we are establishing the External Revenue Service to collect all tariffs, duties and revenues. It will be massive amounts of money pouring into our treasury coming from foreign sources,” he said.
Practically anything can be made in Mexico: from personalized construction works to handmade plushies: the sky's the limit, really! (Quintin Gellar/Pexels)
It’s not that I’m embarrassed, but I do feel a little sheepish writing it: I have, apparently, abnormally large calves. At least for Mexico.
And let me tell you, that makes me pretty sad. I don’t know much about fashion — most currently fashionable clothing looks so silly to me — but I do love a sexy knee-high boot (no heels, please).
Typically, towns in Mexico specialize in the craft of particular articles: boots, tortilleros, molcajetes — you name it, there’s a town where it’s the primary industry! (Nicole Cavelli en Unsplash)
Alas, almost every knee-high boot I try on stops zipping up as soon as it hits my calf; they’re just not wide enough. And it’s heartbreaking, because I have seen some really cute boots out there.
But wait! It’s not the end!
Not too far from here is a town called Naolinco, famous for its leather products, mainly boots and belts. And if I decide to make a trip up to Naolinco, I can have a pair of boots made just for me! The style, the fit, the color — I can get exactly what I want with exactly the right fit.
Have I done this? Well, no. It’s a little pricey, yes, though not prohibitively expensive. The main thing is that you’ve got to make a day of it. It’s a bit of a drive, and then it’s figuring out exactly what you want, and finding someone to make it for you. Then you’ve got to go back to pick them up. Mexico being Mexico, you’re definitely going to want to call and confirm they’re ready ahead of time even if you’ve got a promised ready-by date.
Naonilco municipality, in Veracruz state, is well-known for its bootmakers. (B.jars/Wikimedia Commons – CC BY-SA 4.0)
But I could do it, and that’s the important thing.
And shoes aren’t all you can have made. The sky really kind of is the limit!
Having things made in Mexico: from plush carrots to custom furniture
When my daughter wanted “carrots” for her stuffed rabbit one Christmas, we had little stuffed carrots made. When she wanted “number blocks” from her favorite YouTube math singers, we had those made. And when her tastes became decidedly creepier, we had a bloodied “Canelita” from the Animal Crossing-Eternal Horizons crossover made, complete with a detachable velcro gun. She was over the moon. Oh, dear.
What else can you do? Well, there’s a seamstress a few blocks from my house, for example, who can “clone” clothing items. Just pick out the material, give her the original, and voilà! I’ve got a favorite dress and a favorite pair of pants that will be getting that treatment soon. After last year’s hellishly hot spring season, I’m going to be preparedfor this one with the thinnest, lightest clothing I can find!
You bought a pair of pants that were too big for you? No problem, a Mexican seamstress can make them fit. (Saúl López/Cuartoscuro)
Speaking of drought,a water catchment system is another thing that you can have fitted to your home. This is something I’m personally dying to do; but alas, I rent. But aside from actual companies that can install these systems, it’s possible to find individuals who can do so, as well.
But the category of things I’ve had things made the most by far is furniture.
My favorite most recent carpenter-made piece of furniture is my standing desk. I bought the electrical base on Amazon, but skipped their overpriced desktops. Instead, I designed exactly the desktop I wanted, and a carpenter made it for me! We’ve also had a TV stand/bookshelf made to fit a tight living room, and a toy chest that I had fun painting once it was done. In the last house we lived in, I had a loft bed with built-in drawers and a desk made for my daughter. She loved the height and the cave-like feel underneath.
In Mexico, you’re probably one friend away from your next favorite plumber. Or carpenter. Or construction worker. (Gabriella Clare Marino/Unsplash)
Why, you can even have beer made, a service my partner has provided. Got a restaurant or bar and want a special house recipe? There are people that can design and produce them for you. And of course, food, party favors and decorations for parties of any size can always be found. Themed t-shirts for the parents at birthday parties are currently a big thing in my city, actually. This is overkill if you ask me, but people seem to really get excited about it!
The main trouble with having anything made, of course, is finding the right person or business. If you’re new in town or have limited Spanish skills, this can be tough. But if you have friends or at least know some people whose opinion you trust, then that’s your in. This is a country where everybody “knows a guy.” Ask around, and you’re sure to find someone!
And when in doubt or truly at a loss, take a look around Facebook or Instagram; many will have pages that display examples of their work.
So remember: there’s leg work, but it’s fun leg work. Think of it as an adventure and a chance to meet some cool new people. You might get your custom-made stuff and a new friend!
