Link to the Article: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexico-stick-with-policies-aimed-stopping-migrants-after-trump-win-2024-11-08/
Promptly after Trump’s reelection, Mexico’s diplomats stated they would be cracking down on securing their border with the US to prevent migrants from traveling across. The Foreign Minister of Mexico said that Mexico’s current preventive measures on migration seem to be working with a 76% decline in migrant encounters at the border since December. President Claudia Sheinbaum also reported her call with Trump helped confirm and draw attention to the dramatic decline in border crossing. Although there has been a great decline in migration over the border this past year, Trump has still stated he will be implementing a 25% tax. This tariff is on all exports from Mexico unless Mexico completely stops migration and drug trafficking over the border. Around 80% of Mexico’s exports go to the United States; this immense tariff will drastically affect Mexico’s economy. In order to counter the substantial tariffs coming Mexico’s way, they have created extreme methods to stop migrants from crossing the border. This “crackdown” is very conflicting with Mexico’s goal of maintaining protection of humanitarian rights and job opportunities for migrants who decide to settle in Mexico. Migration experts are wondering if the new security measures being taken at the border by the Mexican government, will only intensify when Trump is President.
This article is significant because it describes the ongoing difficulty in securing the border between the US and Mexico, and how to continue to protect humanitarian needs. Mexico is under immense pressure with threats of a 25% tax on all goods shipped to the US. Mexico may continue to compromise its goal to protect human rights in order to ensure their economy does not completely plummet. Depending on how Sheinbaum moves forward with the border issues, her global reputation and how the nation views her could change remarkably. Mexico should continually make efforts to reduce migration over the border to show the US they are taking effective measures. Creating a successful method to ensure humanitarian needs are taken into consideration, is also crucial to the Mexican government’s national support. Mexico can continue to engage in dialogue with the US to reiterate how indispensable Mexico is in trade relations.
The US’s use of hard power is something that can be connected back to class. The US is using strategic, harsh methods to get what they want in regards to their national interest. The US is using the pressure of implementing high tariffs on Mexican exports to guarantee Mexico will abide by their demands for migration control. In order to not reap the consequences Mexico will face, they are willing to give up some humanitarian government goals to counter the implications. This shows that hard power can be very effective but can also create resentment and unwillingness to comply in future interstate relations.