In a move that signals a dramatic shift in U.S.-Mexico relations, President-elect Donald Trump announced a landmark agreement with Mexico’s newly inaugurated president, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, to halt migration through Mexico and into the United States.
Trump shared the news on Truth Social, stating, “Just had a wonderful conversation with the new President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. She has agreed to stop migration through Mexico and into the United States, effectively closing our Southern Border.”
The agreement marks a significant policy shift for Mexico under Sheinbaum Pardo, the nation’s first female president, who took office in October 2024. Both leaders emphasized their commitment to tackling illegal immigration and drug trafficking during what Trump described as a “very productive conversation.”
Breaking; New statement from President Elect Trump.
So much winning and he’s not even in office yet!!! pic.twitter.com/xp1smuhLu4
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) November 28, 2024
According to Trump, the agreement to curb migration will take effect immediately. This initiative complements Trump’s broader strategy to combat illegal immigration, which includes reinstating stringent border policies from his first term, such as the “Remain in Mexico” policy that required asylum seekers to await U.S. immigration hearings on Mexican soil.
Additionally, the president-elect has announced plans for the largest deportation effort in U.S. history, set to begin after his inauguration in January. Trump has pledged to declare a national emergency to expedite deportations, utilizing military assets to assist with the operation.
Sheinbaum Pardo echoed Trump’s sentiment in her own statement, confirming their discussion on Mexico’s migration strategy. She emphasized that Mexico has already taken steps to prevent caravans from reaching its northern border.
“We discussed Mexico’s strategy on the migration phenomenon,” Sheinbaum Pardo posted on X. “Caravans are not arriving at the northern border because they are being taken care of in Mexico.”
Both leaders also addressed the flow of illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl, from Mexico into the U.S. Sheinbaum Pardo highlighted Mexico’s campaign to prevent fentanyl consumption and emphasized the importance of respecting national sovereignty in security collaborations.
Trump, in turn, announced plans for a large-scale public awareness campaign in the U.S. to educate citizens on the dangers of fentanyl. He described the initiative as critical to saving lives, stating, “Millions of lives [are] being so needlessly destroyed. By the time the campaign is over, everyone will know how really bad the horror of this drug is.”
The fentanyl epidemic has been a central focus of Trump’s policy agenda, and he has previously proposed measures to strengthen border security as a means of curbing the illicit drug trade.
The agreement between Trump and Sheinbaum Pardo comes alongside Trump’s announcement of new tariffs aimed at pressuring Mexico to act on migration and drug trafficking. The president-elect plans to impose a 25% tariff on Mexican imports, as well as a 10% tariff on goods from China and a 25% tariff on Canadian imports.
These economic measures are designed to incentivize cooperation while reinforcing Trump’s broader “America First” trade agenda.
The bilateral agreement builds on Trump’s existing plans to address what he has called a national emergency at the Southern Border. During his first term, Trump introduced a series of measures aimed at reducing illegal crossings, many of which he intends to reinstate.
One such policy is the reimplementation of border wall construction, a hallmark of his initial campaign. Trump has also vowed to increase funding for Customs and Border Protection to enhance border patrols and technology.
Critics argue that these measures may strain U.S.-Mexico relations, but Trump’s latest agreement with Sheinbaum Pardo signals potential alignment between the two nations on this contentious issue.
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions domestically and internationally. Trump supporters hailed the agreement as a win for U.S. border security, with some celebrating the president-elect’s ability to secure commitments even before taking office.
“Trump shut down the border with a tweet and a phone call. We’re so back,” one supporter posted online.
The collaboration between Trump and Sheinbaum Pardo marks a significant turning point in U.S.-Mexico relations. If successfully implemented, the agreement could drastically reduce migration flows and disrupt the operations of cartels involved in drug trafficking.
However, challenges remain, including potential opposition from human rights organizations and logistical hurdles in enforcing the migration halt.
As Trump prepares to take office in January, his administration’s ability to deliver on these promises will be closely watched. Meanwhile, Sheinbaum Pardo’s willingness to cooperate underscores a potential new era of bilateral relations between the two nations.
Whether this agreement serves as a model for future cross-border collaboration or exacerbates existing tensions remains to be seen. For now, Trump’s Southern Border agenda is gaining momentum, with implications that could reshape the political landscape on both sides of the border.
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