Mexico Deploys Troops to Border, Reaches Tariff Agreement with U.S.
In a strategic move to address border security and drug trafficking, Mexico has agreed to send 10,000 National Guard troops to its northern border. The agreement with the United States temporarily halts a proposed 25% tariff on Mexican imports, allowing for further negotiations.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum (L) and President Donald Trump (R) have reached an agreement to temporarily suspend a proposed 25% tariff on Mexican imports (EEW)
WASHINGTON, DC (EEW) Mexico has agreed to deploy 10,000 National Guard troops to its northern border in a strategic move to address immigration and drug trafficking concerns, following negotiations with the United States government.
The deployment comes as part of an agreement with the Trump administration to temporarily suspend a proposed 25% tariff on Mexican imports, according to Reuters.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the deployment on Monday, stating that the troops would bolster efforts to curb the flow of drugs and illegal immigration across the U.S.-Mexico border. The decision aligns with a broader initiative to fortify border security and address the ongoing fentanyl crisis that has significantly impacted the United States.
"We had a constructive dialogue with President Trump, respecting our bilateral relationship and sovereignty," President Sheinbaum noted on social media. "We have agreed to strengthen our northern border with 10,000 National Guard troops to combat drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl."
In return, the United States has pledged to work towards preventing the trafficking of firearms into Mexico, a point of concern for Mexican authorities. The agreement provides a one-month reprieve from the tariffs, allowing both nations to engage in further negotiations aimed at addressing these pressing issues.
The agreement follows a recent announcement by the White House that both Mexican and Canadian imports would be subject to a 25% tariff starting February 1, unless measures were taken to curb illegal immigration and drug smuggling. The Biden administration had previously reported a surge in unlawful crossings at the northern border, although these numbers remain significantly lower than those at the southern border.
In addition to the deal with Mexico, the Trump administration has imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, holding the Chinese government accountable for the influx of fentanyl precursors entering the United States. Negotiations are reportedly underway to revive a 2020 trade proposal with China, involving increased American goods purchases, reports The Guardian.
Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, has been a major contributor to the rise in drug overdose deaths in the United States, which totaled approximately 108,000 in 2022, with opioids involved in roughly 82,000 of those cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
President Trump's statement on social media confirmed the agreement, emphasizing the deployment's focus on halting the flow of fentanyl and illegal migration into the U.S. He also mentioned that high-level negotiations would continue, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other key officials from both countries.
The deployment marks a significant step in U.S.-Mexico relations, as both nations seek to address the complex challenges of border security and drug trafficking.
