With a trade war looming, President Trump showed a sign of reluctant respect to Mexico’s president, praising her toughness in a recent phone call, as reported by four individuals with knowledge of the conversation. The two leaders were exchanging compliments and negotiating a reprieve from some tariffs in real-time, according to sources familiar with the call.
Since Claudia Sheinbaum assumed the presidency of Mexico on October 1st, becoming the first woman to govern the nation, doubts emerged about her approach to managing the relationship with the United States, particularly if Trump won the election. As a left-leaning scientist with little foreign policy experience but a technocratic rather than a flamboyant political style, she contrasted with her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who enjoyed a good rapport with Trump and adopted a similarly emphatic style.
Surprisingly, Sheinbaum has not only fended off aggressive threats from Trump but also managed to establish a burgeoning relationship of public respect with him. Despite Trump’s campaign trail attacks targeting Mexico and his pledge to impose tariffs until fentanyl trafficking stopped, Sheinbaum earned his praise by demonstrating calm demeanor and tangible results in migration and fentanyl control, winning the respect of key figures in the Trump administration.
Trump’s improved view of Sheinbaum appears to be underpinned by her contrast to his discord with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and her proactive anti-cartel measures, including the recent transfer of 29 drug lords to the United States.
Despite her efforts, Mexico remains vulnerable to Trump’s unpredictable policies, including the ongoing threat of April 2 tariffs and challenges posed by existing tariffs on steel, aluminum, and other goods. Nonetheless, the Mexican public is enjoying a reprieve from such confrontations, savoring the stability Sheinbaum has cultivated in her relations with Trump. Her approval ratings in Mexico have surged above 75 percent.
However, behind the calm exterior of her strategy, her presidency is not without challenges. The Mexican economy has been rattled by trade disruptions, and her cooperation with the U.S. is looked upon critically by some nationalist observers.
Sheinbaum’s approach to Trump, now more measured and respectful, has evolved from initial adversarial rhetoric. Her efforts to understand and communicate effectively with Trump, including speaking in English and analyzing his speeches, suggest a strategic shift that has contributed to the rapport with the U.S. president.
The effectiveness of her diplomacy vis-à-vis Trump remains a point of debate but for now, her cautious yet firm leadership style is credited with maintaining a measure of stability in Mexico’s international relations, despite the looming threat of further trade tensions.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/world/americas/sheinbaum-trump-mexico-tariffs.html
