Against previous expectations, the White House announced that former President Donald J. Trump is poised to impose a 25% tariff on Mexican imports. Previously, journalists have predicted Trump will not impose such tariff until late March, and mostly oriented to China. The shocking decision—citing concerns over immigration, the trafficking of fentanyl, and related security issues—comes as part of an unprecedented global trade shift aimed primarily at Mexico and Canada, both of which have been indispensable trade partners to the U.S. under the longstanding North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
For decades, NAFTA ensured zero tariffs among the United States, Mexico, and Canada, proposing a trading union that demonstrates the strength of a nation. Particularly, the three nations are knitted tightly together in the automotive industry. With iconic vehicles like the Chevy Silverado and Doge Challenger epitomizing the deep interregional trade, experts estimate that the impending tariff could compromise 50% of this sector’s intraregional exchange. As a result, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo took immediate response to calm down the situation.
On social media platform X, she wrote, “Mexico does not want confrontation,” and listed why Mexico was the incorrect stakeholder to blame. Additionally, she provided a detailed solution to Trump’s concern, perfectly showcasing Teddy Roosevelt’s famous tactic, “speak softly and carry a big stick.” Her discourse not only brought zealous passion to Mexicans but also inspired Canadians. With both Pardo’s and Trudo’s response, Trump postponed the tariff by one month only a few days after his initial threat.
President Sheinbaum, the first female president in Mexico’s history, rose to prominence during her tenure as the mayor of Mexico City, where she built a reputation for her toughness on crime and her groundbreaking initiatives addressing gender-based challenges. her leadership has come at a time when Mexico faces dual pressures: economic uncertainty compounded by volatile international trade policies and entrenched historical gender issues. Additionally, the rampage of cartels on the land has significantly blackened the progress of governmental policies and it was under these harsh conditions Sheinbaum assumed her office.
Recognizing that these challenges are not abstract, she administered concrete solutions to each problem. When dealing with economic problems, she pushed for domestic reforms in gender-based violence. She poured money and resources to help the locals understand the pervasive conservative misogynistic culture against female groups. Additionally, she focused on public attention and vocal support to create a more supportive environment for the victims. These tactics not only solved the individual scenarios but also presented plausible social progress in the long term. A cornerstone of her gender-related policies was her legislative effort to reform and expand access to legal abortion and reproductive healthcare. Despite facing staunch opposition from conservative groups, these policies are pivotal in shaping how women experience healthcare and justice.
In 2023, Esmeralda—a 14-year-old girl from Querétaro—became a symbol of the struggle for justice. After being sexually assaulted by a family member, she experienced an unrecognized pregnancy that ended with a spontaneous abortion. Instead of gaining mental and emotional support, Esmeralda was wrongfully charged with intentional homicide. This case, championed by feminist organizations like Adax Digitales and brought to the attention of President Sheinbaum, eventually saw the charges dropped in October 2024 by the Querétaro Prosecutor’s Office. Although there remain plenty of legislative problems in Mexico’s judicial system, President Sheinbaum slowly improved the environment for female activists and provided a much more progressive society for abortion seekers.
President Sheinbaum’s figure marks as a lighthouse for liberal policies in the conservative regions. Especially neighboring a newly elected conservative political identity—the United States of America, her reforms transcend national borders. Following the imposition of restrictive abortion laws in parts of the United States, numerous American women have turned to Mexico for reproductive healthcare. One notable example is that of Texan women who drove six whole hours to reach the MSI reproductive choices center in Saltillo. Her journey reflects the tangible benefits of Mexico’s expanded healthcare access. It reinforces the country’s emerging role as a vital resource for both domestic and international communities in need of reproductive services.
President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo’s tenure epitomizes a balanced fusion of international diplomatic strategy and progressive domestic reform. Her decisive actions in the face of economic uncertainty and her unwavering commitment to addressing gender inequities have not only redefined political practices in Mexico but have also set a benchmark for governance across North America. It serves as an acute comparison to its neighbors and always shines hope in the dark. By integrating robust legal reforms, community-based support systems, and forward-thinking economic policies, her administration set off a good start and brought a clear, logical blueprint for building a society of justice, equality, and economic stability.
Sources
https://elpais.com/mexico/opinion/2025-02-13/sin-justicia-para-esmeralda-la-menor-juzgada-por-abortar-tras-ser-violada.html
https://msmagazine.com/2024/07/17/mexico-president-claudia-sheinbaum-abortion-reproductive-choice-women/
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/mexico-on-donald-trump-tariffs-coordination-yes-subordination-no-claudia-sheinbaum-pardo-101738458585876.html
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/trumps-25-tariffs-on-canada-and-mexico-will-be-a-blow-to-all-3-economies/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/09/trump-mexico-organised-crime-corruption
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mexico-president-us-gunmakers-legal-action-cartels-designated-terrorist-groups/
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexicos-first-woman-president-announces-reforms-battle-gender-discrimination-2024-10-03/