Tariffs may not be the perfect economic policy tool, but as a lever for foreign policy, they seem to be doing their job. Donald Trump, even before taking office, has managed to prompt some significant resets with both of America’s neighboring countries. Canada’s Justin Trudeau has already signaled his willingness to revisit certain security concerns, and now Mexico’s newly elected president, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, is following suit. While the specifics of the negotiations might be murky, the general direction is clear: Trump is already driving the conversation.
Trump took to Truth Social to announce a major breakthrough, claiming that Sheinbaum Pardo had agreed to effectively close the southern border by halting migration through Mexico into the United States. He also highlighted a discussion about curbing the influx of illegal drugs into the U.S. from south of the border. While Trump described the conversation as “very productive,” the finer points of the agreement appear to differ depending on who you ask.
Sheinbaum Pardo, for her part, later tempered Trump’s claims. While acknowledging that the conversation was “excellent,” she clarified that Mexico had committed to addressing migrant caravans before they reach the U.S. border. She also made a point to note that Mexico was already taking steps in this direction prior to their discussion. Despite the subtle contradiction, her statement struck a conciliatory tone, emphasizing cooperation and a shared interest in resolving the migration issue.
Still, skeptics might question Mexico’s newfound urgency on this matter. Before the election, the southern border appeared overwhelmed, with waves of migrants camped out and awaiting entry. After Trump’s decisive victory, however, those caravans seemingly dispersed, with Mexico redirecting the flow away from the U.S. border. The timing was anything but coincidental. Mexico, clearly recognizing the political shift, appears eager to curry favor with Trump, particularly as tariff discussions loom and trade negotiations under the USMCA remain a key leverage point.
Ultimately, Trump’s approach to foreign policy, love it or hate it, has proven effective in forcing both allies and adversaries to the table. Mexico’s willingness to engage and make changes—whether spurred by tariffs, migration pressures, or Trump’s victory—signals a broader acknowledgment of the new reality. While the long-term results of these negotiations remain to be seen, one thing is certain: Trump isn’t wasting any time reshaping America’s relationships with its neighbors, one conversation and one tariff threat at a time.
