(DailyChive.com) – President-elect Donald Trump has made bold claims about his plans to address illegal immigration and drug trafficking at the U.S.-Mexico border. After a phone call with Mexico’s new President, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, Trump announced that Mexico has agreed to tighten border security and reduce migration into the U.S. His remarks were shared on Truth Social, where he described the conversation as “very productive.”
Trump threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada if both nations failed to act. Sheinbaum, who recently took office, responded with a warning: if the U.S. implements tariffs, Mexico will retaliate with tariffs of its own. Despite the tough talk, both leaders struck a cooperative tone in their statements. Sheinbaum said the discussion centered on “strengthening collaboration on security issues” and emphasized Mexico’s strategy of assisting migrants before they reach the U.S. border.
This isn’t the first time Trump has criticized Mexico for not doing enough to curb migration and drug smuggling. He has frequently pointed to the large quantities of illicit fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid, entering the U.S. from Mexico. U.S. officials blame drug cartels for smuggling fentanyl, which is often made using chemical precursors from China.
In addition to his plans with Mexico, Trump issued a stark warning to China. He threatened a 10% tariff on Chinese goods due to the role Chinese precursors play in fentanyl production. The Chinese government dismissed Trump’s claims as “far-fetched” in an editorial from a state-run newspaper.
Fentanyl remains a major public health crisis in the U.S., responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths due to overdose. Trump announced plans to launch a large-scale public awareness campaign to educate Americans about the drug’s dangers. He called the crisis “needless destruction” and vowed to make fentanyl a top issue during his presidency.
While Trump’s hardline approach has drawn criticism, it has also resonated with supporters who see border security as a priority. As tensions rise, it remains to be seen whether the cooperation promised in Trump and Sheinbaum’s conversation will lead to meaningful change—or just more political posturing.
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