AMERICA ECONOMIA – English edition • Worldcrunch
Luis Rubio
January 20, 2025
-Analysis-
Mexico must dial down the nationalism in dealing with Donald Trump, and try to think instead how it might use his intransigence to solve some of its biggest problems — like massive, unchecked crime.
MEXICO CITY — There is no bigger challenge for Mexico than its relations with the United States. It is critical for reasons that are obvious, and have recurred over the long history of both nations. Today, at the outset of a second Donald Trump presidency, the question for us is not so much what Donald Trump wants, but what we need in Mexico? It’s about seeing an issue with radically opposing perspectives.
Trump has made it abundantly clear what he wants from Mexico, and threatened to use extraordinary means — like slapping tariffs in a free-trade zone — to get them. We know he likes to win. Thus perhaps the most pertinent question here is: what can be done to give him a victory that will also benefit Mexico, aid its progress and help resolve some of our critical problems?
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But it doesn’t look like anyone’s asking that question. Instead of trying to understand Trump, both in his nature and objectives, the government of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has so far sought to parry or thwart him… like a matador skirting around a charging bull.
Follow the Canadians
While we’re thinking up more and cleverer answers to his claims and nasty declarations, the Canadians — the other free-trade neighbor facing his ire and a threat of tariffs — are working on building a constructive relationship. Of the two of us, who is doing better at handling the inevitable challenge?
A defensive strategy, if strategy is the right word, is of little use. As the Prussian general Helmuth von Moltke said, no war plan survives contact with the enemy. Observation, flexibility and adaptation are what are needed, which is precisely what the Mexican government has failed to show.
Trump strikes where he sees weakness — and strikes harder if you resist.
Our government has voiced indignation at Trump’s declarations, which displays both ignorance and laziness. Trump strikes where he sees weakness — and strikes harder if you resist.
We know him
Yes, this is hitting below the belt, but we can’t stop it from happening. Canadian politicians, who understand they are accountable to voters and take stock of the national interest have decided not to trash talk back at Trump but find effective, damage control strategies.
Let’s start by putting aside our prejudices on Trump, the Americans and our shared histories, and see what we’re actually facing. We know Trump, since he was president before. He is clear and transparent and we should know what works or doesn’t with him. The Canadians are doing their homework: why not do the same instead of denouncing them as sell-outs?
A second point to bear in mind is that much of what Trump says about Mexico is true. We may not like an outsider telling us crime and corruption are rife in Mexico and the cartels control vast chunks of our territory, but to pretend it is not the truth is no kind of way to lead a nation.
Stop playing the victim
Does puffing ourselves up with national pride serve any purpose?
So thirdly, adopting a problem-solving outlook, we might consider how to use Trump’s conduct to find solutions to some of our problems, or in other words, put him to good use. Instead of visceral reactions and counter-diatribes, let us go to Trump with a proper plan for two-way solutions.
Let’s forge a a three-state trade policy that addresses the issue of China.
Yes, we admit it, our problems are overwhelming, we should say — and we could use your help! But not with drones and tariffs: let’s forge a common security strategy or a three-state trade policy that addresses the issue of China.
Again let’s find a common perspective on the reasons for migration and why people are compelled to leave their homes, but also on regulating the American economy’s need for cheap labor.
I’m not spelling out the solutions, but pointing out that we need to change our ideas on how to handle a change of administration in a country so crucial to our economy. It’s not about focusing on specifics but accepting there are problems in our country — big problems — and seeing in the Trump administration an opportunity to tackle them either jointly or with U.S. help, be it direct support, logistical or technical.
Let’s stop playing the victim, and start thinking in terms of problem-solving. Instead of being alarmed by Trump, let’s try to understand him and how to make the most of his time in office.
https://worldcrunch.com/eyes-on-the-us/us-mexico-trump-sheinbaum