Mexico's President: Mexico will never be subservient to US

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum voiced optimism on Sunday, expressing confidence that “dialogue will prevail” in relations with the US President Donald Trump. However, she firmly stated that Mexico would never be a “subordinate” to the US.

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Speaking to thousands of supporters in Mexico City, Sheinbaum marked her first 100 days in office with a bold message. “One thing is certain, we will always move forward with our heads held high.”

She emphasized, “Mexico is a free and independent nation. We coordinate and cooperate, but we are never subservient.”

Trump had previously threatened to impose tariffs of up to 25 percent on Mexican imports unless Mexico curbed the flow of migrants and drugs into the US. He also promised mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.

Despite tensions, Sheinbaum praised the contributions of Mexicans living in the U.S. “They play a vital role in the Mexican economy,” she said, before adding pointedly, “But let’s be clear, their contributions to the US economy are even greater.”

Sheinbaum’s presidency, the first led by a woman in Mexico, has taken a firm stance against Trump’s rhetoric and policies.

Recently, Mexican authorities discovered a secret tunnel in Ciudad Juárez, a key migrant crossing point, leading to the US Additionally, Mexico intercepted shipments of fentanyl, a drug fueling the overdose crisis in the US.

In a symbolic response to Trump’s suggestion to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” Sheinbaum presented an old map proposing to rename the US as “Mexican America.”

Read more: "Mexican America, that sounds nice," Mexico president pokes fun at Trump

On domestic issues, Sheinbaum highlighted progress in reducing violence. She reported a 16 percent decline in homicides between September and December of last year.

She also defended her administration’s judicial reform proposals, which include electing judges through popular vote. “Make no mistake,” she asserted, “the judiciary will be independent.”