Sheinbaum Defends Mexico’s Sovereignty over US Tariffs

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum rallied tens of thousands of supporters in Mexico City’s Zocalo square on Sunday. The event celebrated the U.S. decision to delay tariffs on Mexican goods as a diplomatic win. Sheinbaum said the delay followed a “respectful dialogue” with US President Donald Trump on the 25% tariffs on USMCA-covered goods until April 2.

The tariffs were initially imposed by Trump over concerns about fentanyl imports, which took a brief effect on March 4. On Sunday, Sheinbaum said in her address that Mexico would always defend its sovereignty and economic contributions to the U.S.

Sheinbaum refrained from announcing retaliatory measures at the rally and focused on national unity instead. She said in her address, “We are not extremists, but we are very clear that there are principles that cannot be renounced. We cannot give up our sovereignty, nor can our people be affected by decisions made by governments. In cases like those, we will always act immediately.”

Sheinbaum added that Mexico should be spared from the reciprocal tariffs that Trump has said are to come into effect on April 2. She said that “for the past 30 years, there have been two signed trade agreements, which state that Mexico does not impose tariffs on them nor they on us, which means that it should not be applied.”

Meanwhile, new tariffs on Canadian lumber and dairy are expected to be introduced in the coming weeks. This is something that will roll into the new Canadian prime minister’s desk, Mark Carney. Carney is taking over from Justin Trudeau.