Mexican Politicians React to Trump's Electoral Victory
In the days leading up to the US presidential election, President Sheinbaum affirmed her administration’s commitment to the bilateral relationship - despite worrying signs from the Trump campaign.
A July 2024 piece by The Economist found that Mexico would be one of the countries most profoundly impacted by a Trump presidency - specifically in terms of immigration, trade policy, and rapidly advancing geopolitical competition with China. According to the publication’s “Trump Risk Index,” Mexico received a score of 71 out of 100 - well above the next-highest score of 53 (Germany).
The Trump campaign has promised to:1
designate Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations
utilize 25% tariffs on Mexico imports to halt irregular migration and drug trafficking
mass deportation of undocumented Mexican immigrants in the US (~ 4 million)
prevent and punish the shipment of Chinese products via Mexico
address fentanyl crisis via bombing labs and blocking Mexican ports/ships carrying precursor chemicals
And yet…
Despite foreboding signs from the Trump campaign, President Sheinbaum consistently shared her optimism for the election with as recently as Monday recommitting her administration to high-level bilateral dialogues on a variety of issues, including but not limited to migration, fentanyl, arms trafficking, USMCA review, trade, and more…
A handful of prominent Mexican politicians have explicitly congratulated Trump on his victory, including Sheinbaum herself. During Wednesday’s mañanera, President Sheinbaum initially announced that she would wait to congratulate the victor once the election results were clear, but tweeted a congratulatory message to Trump around 4:30pm later that day.
“I express my most sincere congratulations to Donald Trump, who won the presidential election in the United States of America. On behalf of Mexico, we extend our appreciation to the American people for their democratic exercise on election day. I am certain that we will continue to work together in a coordinated manner, with dialogue and respect for our sovereignty, to advance the broad bilateral agenda that links us.”
Gerardo Fernández Noroña, the president of Mexico’s Senate, congratulated Trump on behalf of the Senate’s Board of Trustees.
Sheinbaum’s current Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard (who also served as Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs during the AMLO administration, overlapping with Trump from 2018 until 2020) wrote:
“Congratulations President Trump, Mexico wishes your administration success !!”
Juan Ramón de la Fuente, Sheinbaum’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, gave an interview on Election Day, stating that regardless of the election results, the US-Mexico relationship would remain the same. He has not further commented on the election nor offered a congratulatory message to Trump.
Roberto Velasco Álvarez, the Head of the North America Unit of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, reshared Sheinbaum’s message on X.
Xóchitl Gálvez, the former PAN presidential candidate, wrote a scathing message on X:
“Mexico will face unprecedented challenges and difficult times. We should not take @realDonaldTrump's threats lightly. It's not just rhetoric, our business interests, on which thousands of workers and their families depend, are at stake. Private sector participation and leadership will be very important in the USMCA review process. The rights of the millions of Mexican migrants on the other side of the border must also be protected. Let's hope that the @GoviernoMX rather than saying “there is no cause for concern,” will prepare and defend Mexico's interests with intelligence and strategy.”
Jorge Máynez Álvarez, the former Movimiento Ciudano presidential candidate, simply shared exit poll data.
Marko Cortés, one of Mexico’s most well-known PAN deputies from the state of Michoacán, wrote on X:
“I congratulate @realDonaldTrump for his perseverance and for securing a second term as President of the United States of America, I hope his strong leadership will be channeled to generate better economic and security conditions for both nations. My appreciation to Vice President @KamalaHarris for her tremendous efforts and valuable contributions in her presidential campaign.”
Enrique de la Madrid, a PRI politician and the son of former president, Miguel de la Madrid, wrote on X:
“The return of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States will be a challenge for Mexico. Looking ahead to the next four years of the bilateral relationship, we must be more competitive and attractive … [specifically] for the renegotiation of the USMCA.”
As compiled by José Díaz Briseño