Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Monday that U.S. tariffs on Mexico have been temporarily suspended for one month following her conversation with President Donald Trump. Trump later confirmed the decision in his own social media post.
Sheinbaum stated that Mexico has agreed to immediately deploy 10,000 National Guard troops to strengthen its border with the United States. Additionally, she noted that the U.S. has committed to efforts aimed at curbing the trafficking of high-powered weapons into Mexico.
While Trump acknowledged the troop deployment as a measure to curb illegal migration and the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., he did not comment on Mexico’s concerns regarding weapons trafficking.
Despite the temporary pause on Mexican tariffs, levies on Canadian imports remain in effect. Trump is expected to discuss the matter with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at 3 p.m. ET.
To negotiate a long-term trade agreement with Mexico, Trump has assigned Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Howard Lutnick, his nominee for commerce secretary, to lead discussions over the next month, according to ABC News.
Sheinbaum, who assumed office in October 2024, shared details of her exchange with Trump, stating that when he asked how long she wanted the tariff pause to last, she replied, “forever.” Trump then suggested a one-month suspension.
“He emphasized the trade deficit the U.S. has with Mexico,” Sheinbaum said. “I explained that it is not a deficit but rather a trade partnership that strengthens both economies and helps us compete with China and other nations.”
Sheinbaum also noted that Trump had agreed to establish a working group to collaborate on trade matters.
Ahead of the tariff announcement, Trump had indicated plans to hold discussions with Sheinbaum and Trudeau before formally implementing new trade restrictions. The White House had signaled that, starting Tuesday, the president intended to impose 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports and 10% tariffs on goods from China.
On Sunday, Sheinbaum posted a video on social media calling for “reason and law” in international relations. She warned that the proposed tariffs would have serious economic consequences for both Mexico and the U.S.
“This 25% tariff will impact both nations, but it will have particularly severe consequences for the U.S. economy,” she said. “It will drive up the cost of all goods exported from Mexico to the U.S. by 25%.”
Trudeau responded to Trump’s proposed tariffs on Saturday by announcing that Canada would impose a 25% tariff on approximately 155 billion Canadian dollars (about $107 billion USD) worth of American goods. The Canadian leader added that he had yet to speak with Trump since his inauguration.
While Sheinbaum did not provide specific details on how her administration would counter the tariffs, she instructed Mexico’s economic secretary to move forward with “Plan B”—a set of tariff and non-tariff measures designed to protect Mexico’s economic interests.
She also reminded the U.S. government that trade agreements between the two nations have been in place for nearly 30 years.
