US President Donald Trump has postponed the implementation of 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico for one month, citing "negotiations" between the two countries.
Trump announced that he would immediately pause the anticipated tariffs that were scheduled to take effect on Tuesday.
The breakthrough occurred after a phone call between Trump and President Claudia Sheinbaum, during which Sheinbaum agreed to deploy 10,000 National Guard members to the US-Mexico border to prevent the trafficking of drugs, especially fentanyl, from Mexico to the US.
Sheinbaum stated that the US had agreed to enhance efforts to prevent the flow of high-powered weapons into Mexico.
The White House emphasized that Trump's actions aimed at holding Mexico, along with China and Canada, accountable for their commitments to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking, particularly of fentanyl, into the US.
Following the successful conversation, Sheinbaum shared the news indicating mutual respect and sovereignty, resulting in the tariff suspension for a month.
The dialogue between the leaders signaled a more amicable tone, contrasting with Trump's previous accusations of Mexico having an "intolerable alliance" with drug cartels.
Sheinbaum expressed relief and optimism during a press conference, highlighting the shared objectives of combating drug trafficking and protecting the common border.
While the threat of US tariffs still looms, Sheinbaum disclosed that the contingency plan for retaliatory measures has been put on hold for now.
She mentioned the necessity of halting the trafficking of fentanyl, a highly potent drug linked to numerous overdoses in the US, and underscored the significance of both nations cooperating to combat drug cartels.
Sheinbaum welcomed the commitment by the US to address the issue of high-powered weapons being trafficked into Mexico, pointing out the importance of disrupting the supply of weapons to criminal organizations.
The deployment of National Guard members to the border was emphasized as a measure to bolster Mexico's security and contribute to shared goals of border protection and drug interdiction.
The focus on border security and immigration aligns with Trump's campaign promises and his assertion that voters granted him a mandate to secure the border.