is Mexico's president Claudia Shane Bal the most powerful woman in the world to the news of President Trump giving Mexico a one- Monon reprieve from his latest tariffs but you see right there behind me we are well into negative territory again today Mexico after months of threatening tariffs Mexico won a major diplomatic Victory the high tariffs that United States President Donald Trump had planned to impose have been surprisingly postponed there is Euphoria on the streets of Mexico especially after the hard hit and decisive negotiations of Claudia Shin bound a rising figure on the political scene
whose chance of we won against Trump resonate with the public but the real question is why did the Trump Administration back down from imposing these tariffs at the last minute what were the strong cards Shin bound put on the table did Mexico's threat of retaliation really scare Washington we now analyze step-by-step the negotiations behind this unexpected delay and the critical moves behind the scenes let us take a closer look at how Mexico made a major comeback in the trade War Donald Trump had long been considering imposing High tariffs on products from Mexico on the grounds
of protecting the United States domestic Market from automotive parts to agricultural products from Electronics to textiles the plans which could put Mexican exporters in a difficult situation were considered a nightmare scenario for the Mexican economy Mexico's biggest Market is the United States with more than 80% of its exports going to its northern neighbor such a taxation could have pushed the country into economic recession Trump's move was not independent of the pressure on immigration and the wall debate he was sending a message to Mexico if you do not stop migrants coming across the border I will
impose tariffs some analysts argued that this was a threat to United States domestic politics but on the Mexican side the economic Dimension was very serious it was at this time that Claudia Shin Bal appeared on the scene shine Bal a popular and Powerful politician from Mexico City said we will not accept Trump tariffs if they come we will respond in kind how did Mexico respond while Trump and Trudeau have made harsh personal statements in recent weeks Shin Bal has taken a more measured approach on Tuesday Shin bomb expressed his intention to impose tariff and non-tariff
measures to protect Mexico's interests but refrained from taking immediate action implying that he planned to exhaust all diplomatic first what I can tell you is that this is a very decisive moment for Mexico there will be no capitulation Mexico is a great country and Mexicans are brave and resilient he said speaking to supporters at a large rally Mexican president Claudia Shin Bal said that dialogue and respect were instrumental in stopping the United States tariffs and that Mexico's sovereignty will always come first amigos amigos Shin balm addressed thousands of people gathered in Mexico City's Landmark zoccolo
Square for an event aimed at strengthening national pride highlighting the economic contributions that Mexico and its people make to the United States economy we cannot give up our sovereignty nor can our people be influenced by decisions made by Foreign governments or hegemonies in this case we will always act immediately Shen bam said addressing the square filled with thousands of people waving flags and carrying banners supporting Mexican pride and Independence the shared history of our countries is marked by many periods of hostility but also by many periods of cooperation and understanding he added Shin Bal coolly
said he would not announce counter measures including retaliatory tariffs against the United States until Sunday's event but two days later Trump told Shin Bal after a phone call between the two leaders that Mexico would not pay tariffs on any Goods covered by the US Mexico Canada agreement until April 2nd as a show of respect Shin bomb later said Sunday's rally would be a festival so far it has yielded results and I think it will continue to yield results Shin bom said of respectful dialogue with the United States but if we need to gather again in
this public space we need to be aware and informed do you agree he asked the crowd Shin bomb said Mexico will reach out to Canada and other countries if the tariffs continue he added that Mexico could seek other trading partners outside the United States and change trade alliances if necessary what is behind Shin bomb's relatively measured approach in a briefing with reporters in early February shinal offered insights into his own mindset saying that Mexico should keep its cool in the face of Trump's threats this cautious strategy reflects Mexico's heavy dependence on the United States as
a market more than 75% of Mexico's exports go to its northern neighbor so any dramatic disruption in this equation could bleed the country's economy last year the United States imported 55.8 billion United States dollars worth of goods from Mexico and exported 334 billion leading to a trade deficit of 1718 billion of course Canada also needs the US for its exports with more than 70% of Canada exports going to the US is shine bomb's approach working it is too early to tell but on Wednesday the Trump Administration Exempted automakers from the 25% tariffs for a month
while the industry's supply chains are spread across North America Mexico is the biggest beneficiary cars trucks other vehicles and Auto Parts account for 27% of its exports to the US for Canada the figure is 13% Shin Barm only took office in October and is wildly pop popular in two polls in February her approval ratings were 80% and 85% let us get to know Claudia Shen Bal better Shin Bal is known in Mexico's current Politics as a left-leaning Innovative science-based leader she gained popularity during her term as mayor of Mexico City her charismatic speeches her identity
as a woman leader and her emphasis on social justice led to an unprecedented rise in Mexican history some experts see her as Mexico's next president Shin Bal called Trump's tariff threats an insult to National Honor and said our response is clear if tariffs are imposed we will retaliate this position found broad support among the Mexican people in early 2025 the Trump Administration signaled that we will impose a 25% tariff on all autop parts coming from Mexico Shin Bal brought together manufacturers from several Mexican states met with civil society and conveyed the message if this happens
we will impose the same tariffs on the products we import from the United States that same week the Mexican foreign Ministry sent an official note to Washington and announced a list of retaliatory measures avocados Tomatoes beer Automotive steel agricultural products they threatened to impose taxes in areas where the US market depends on Mexico Trump administration's delay decision will this tariff decision be fully implemented or will it be delayed was reported on the US side as a matter of fact on March 10th 2025 the headline Trump tariff delay a confusing mess made a big impact on
the US public opinion because in the official statements from the White House it was said that the tariffs have been postponed for now moreover The Next Step may not happen this caused great enthusiasm on the Mexican front we defended our national pride we did not cave in we put the retaliation card on the table and we got results Shin bom told the public Shin bom celebrates her diplomatic Victory the Mexican media headlined some us analysts say the Trump Administration does not want an open trade war with Mexico the negotiations that followed NAFTA now usmca were
already difficult giant brands from the automotive industry lobbied if these tariffs come our production will stop factories in Mexico were also feeding the US so while Trump wanted to send a tough message to his voters he also faced economic realities Mexico's retaliation list was poised to hit us agriculture farmers who supported Trump in States like Texas and California could suffer huge losses this would put the US president in a difficult position before the election so is shin bam playing a diplomatic game Shin Bal was not actually the federal president of the country but a leading
figure in the ruling party Morena that governs a huge Metropolis like Mexico City she had a close relationship with Mexico's president Andres Manuel Lopez orador amow when the threat of tariffs was raised Shin bah became the strongest supporter of the amlo administration both domestically and abroad saying we Advocate peace and cooperation but we will not accept unjust sanctions on the US side Shin bal's cool demeanor was discussed coldblooded how Mexico's Claudia Shin bomb put the breakes on Trump Shane bomb's goal was to coordinate with the Mexican embassy in Washington to to seek a solution at
the table to this end Shin bal's team conducted quiet diplomacy with giant us corporations members of Congress and Farmers lobbies they explained that us consumers would face price hikes if Mexican agricultural products were taxed and that the automobile production chain would be in crisis if Mexican factories were taxed this lobbying effort paid off the Trump Administration said we are postponing it for now Shane bom became a national hero on the streets of Mexico saying we won and if they come at us again we will respond the same way has public anxiety turned into National Unity
the threat of tariffs aroused a feeling in Mexico are we going back to the era of exploitation people were worried that the United States was making us a bargaining chip again but Shin bal's outburst and the government's preparation of a list of reprisals transformed this concern into National Unity if they are going to tax us we are not going to stay unilateral was the the cry the Mexican press was ecstatic with headlines like shine Bal sends Trump into a panic most importantly with the trade War off the agenda for now Mexican producers breathed a sigh
of relief the avocado tomato Automotive in steel sectors had a small celebration exports were not halted job losses were avoided Supply chains along the Mexico US border continue to flow without interruption of course it is unclear whether this delay is permanent or whether Trump will bring it back to the table in the future but the shin bom front says he tried us once and got a response if he tries again we will stop him again these words have made the Mexican politician hugely popular with the public some analysts say that Shin Bal could run for
president in the 2026 elections and that the tariffs move is a sign of her diplomatic Victory on the US side there is great confusion Trump's tariff delay is a confusing mess yes the article read noting that the white house does not have a clear plan and that advisers are making conflicting statements some said tariffs are sheld for Now While others said we may Implement them in the future this uncertainty has created a crisis in the US business World due to the Dilemma of what are we going to do should we continue our investments in Mexico
or not even the agricultural Lobby in the US which supports Trump opposes the tariffs because Mexican retaliation could make their crops unsellable in the end everyone realized that a tariff war is not a win-win but a lose lose situation Shin Barm and Mexican diplomats shared this reality with lobbyists even in the US Congress the rhetoric that tariffs are a stupid weapon and will hurt our economy has grown stronger the Trump Administration has also backtracked perhaps saying for now but this backtracking has sparked a debate within the US is the president not keeping his word why
can we not squeeze Mexico Trump's base which was expecting tough action especially on the immigration crisis and border security is frustrated in short Shin bal's Victory is causing dissatisfaction among Trump's base but is Mexico permanently out of the Tariff mess uncertainty remains as the US presidential elections get closer it is possible that Trump like politicians will say they have not stopped migrants from Mexico we will tax them this much Mexico knows this which is why Shin Bal said tariffs could come up again at any time and we are ready to retaliate at anytime in addition
Mexican president amlo reiterated that the relationship with the US is strategic but we must stand with dignity this shows that Mexico is ready for a hard bargain rather than caving into the United States in the long run if the usmca formally NAFTA agreement is adhered to political tensions could erupt at any time even if the trade balance between the two countries is maintained Shin bomb's role in this process has given her a new level of power in Mexican domestic politics Her Image as a woman leader combined with her profile as a politician who does not
bow down to the US has won her the Applause of a large part of the Mexican public some have criticized her for smelling of populism but her protection of the country's economic interests and her clear stance against Trump have been widely praised moreover Shin Barm continues to talk about economic reforms and social policies without worrying about tariffs this increases her popularity but it is not just tariffs Trump also has plans to build a massive wall on the border with Mexico and block the flow of migration this also concerns Mexico because millions of Central American migrants
want to cross into the us through Mexico Trump says if Mexico does not stop them I will hit them with tariffs Mexico counters by saying we do not have to be a police state to stop these migrants while Shin balm and her team are focusing on the human rights dimension of migration Trump is sticking to the idea that a high wall will stop them sometimes the Mexican side tries to hold those who cause difficulties for the US by setting up migrant camps but there is no full cooperation this contradiction is another face of the Tariff
crisis as things stand Shin bom's emphasis on a Humane Mig migration policy is at odds with Trump's Hardline immigration policy this means potential new tensions will the Trump Administration bring up tariffs again in the coming months what will Mexico do this time without hesitation we will respond in kind Shin bom says this clarifies Mexico's stance in the event of another election cycle in the US with populist rhetoric like 25% tariffs on everything coming from Mexico we will not be deterred our list of retaliation is ready this second round could possibly lead to a tougher diplomatic
confrontation between Washington and Mexico City on the other hand the US business Community does not like the idea so Trump's room for maneuver is limited meanwhile Shin bomb is growing in popularity in domestic politics and could be a strong candidate in the 2026 elections if elected she could further sharpen a similar stance in Mexico us relations on the economic front it is clear that a trade War could put both the US and Mexico in a difficult position and disrupt Supply chains the automotive industry agricultural products such as avocados and tomatoes steel and electronics are vital
for us consumers and the lifeblood of Mexican exporters in short no one wants to break this Bond easily Shin bom has played on this very balance creating the perception that those who impose tariffs regret it and for now she is succeeding will there be a second round in the Mexico us tension in the coming period will Shin bom maintain her cool head approach or will we see more radical steps Will trump say I have brought Mexico into line in the election atmosphere or will he worry that these tariffs will cost me votes do not forget
to share your views with us World politics can surprise at any moment for now the Mexican people are celebrating Shin bal's success and rejoicing at the postponement of the Trump tariffs let us see this fire is far from extinguished stay tuned thank you for following us
