Staff Reports
President-elect Donald Trump has made waves with his recent announcement that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has agreed to temporarily halt the stream of migrants heading to the United States after what he described as a “wonderful conversation.” This sounds good, but it’s hard not to suspect that the phrase “wonderful conversation” is code for something a little more… persuasive.
During his chat with Sheinbaum, Trump laid out the stakes and was not shy about mentioning the colossal drug trade flowing north into America. It seems he hit all the right notes, presenting what he claims were productive discussions about curbing these dangerous goods. Meanwhile, the looming threat of a hefty 25 percent tariff on imports from both Mexico and Canada still hangs like a cloud over their heads, potentially creating a storm that isn’t going to just rain on their economic parade but might just drown it.
🚨 #BREAKING: President Trump says he spoke with Mexican President Sheinbaum, and she agreed to STOP ALL migration through Mexico to the United States
This will result in a SHARP decline in illegal crossings at the southern border
SO MUCH WINNING, AND WE’VE BARELY EVEN STARTED!… pic.twitter.com/NUkL0egO13
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) November 28, 2024
The president-elect continued to paint a vivid picture of the chaos at the border, claiming that thousands are swarming in caravans, overwhelmed by a border effectively left open by the previous administration. His take on this ongoing crisis is one that strikes at the core of conservative values—protecting American jobs, safety, and the rule of law. Ensuring that borders are secure seems to be high on Trump’s agenda, and rightfully so.
If Sheinbaum thought she could respond to Trump’s tariff threat with a mere counter-tariff, she might want to reconsider. After all, playing tariff chess with Trump could lead to maneuvering that ends up with Mexico getting checkmated, especially since the U.S. market is considerably larger and more influential. The conversation now turns into a game of chicken that could potentially cripple businesses on both sides if they can’t come to an agreement that keeps the illicit drugs and illegal immigration where they belong—far away from the American homeland.
As the clock ticks down to Inauguration Day on January 20th, Trump seems ready to sign off on an executive order that would set this tariff in motion, with the clear message that nothing less than a substantial halt to the drug flow and immigration invasion will suffice. The stakes couldn’t be higher, with the future of America hanging precariously in the balance and an unwillingness from the U.S. to be a welcome mat for those looking to exploit the system. It appears the ball is firmly in Mexico’s court; the question remains whether they will step up to the challenge or escalate an already precarious situation.
