Mexico-US Relations Hit New Low Amid Tariff Threats from Trump

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The relationship between Mexico and the United States is facing one of its worst crises in decades, primarily due to new tariffs threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump. The escalating tensions revolve around allegations from Trump that Mexico is failing to curb migration and is a conduit for Chinese imports and fentanyl, an opioid contributing to a public health crisis in the U.S. According to officials, Trump aims to use these tariffs as leverage against Mexico, his largest trade partner.

Historically, similar tensions have arose from geopolitical conflicts, such as the U.S.-led Iraq War in 2003, which strained relations between then-Mexican President Vicente Fox and President George W. Bush. Harvard historian John Womack noted that trust was significantly damaged during that period. Current commentators, such as Professor Gustavo del Ángel from the Center for Economic Research and Teaching in Mexico, believe that today's crisis stems from systemic issues rather than isolated incidents.

This marks a significant turn in the bilateral relations, once characterized by interdependence under agreements like the USMCA, now potentially leading to a renewed trade war.

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