The leftist president of Mexico is learning firsthand how President Donald Trump's "Art of the Deal" technique works, and it's already hitting the value of the country's currency hard.
In November, President-elect Trump warned the leaders of both Mexico and Canada that they needed to do more to stem the flow of illegal migrants and fentanyl or he would impose a 25 percent tariff after taking office.
"This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!" he posted on Truth Social at the time. "Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem."
At the time, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum clapped back, saying that her country could impose new tariffs too, Fox Business reported.
"One tariff will follow another and so on, until we put our common businesses at risk," she said.
The problem with that line of thinking is that the U.S. had an over $150 billion trade deficit with Mexico in 2024, so the nation that will be hurt far more is Sheinbaum's and Trump knows this. If she thought he was bluffing in November, Trump reaffirmed his plans on his first day in office Monday, saying Feb. 1 is the date he's looking at to impose the new tariffs.
Bloomberg reported the next day that the Mexican peso dropped 1.4 percent before trimming some of its lost value following Trump's comments.
"The selloff, the worst in emerging markets, came a day after Trump said he would slap tariffs of as much as 25% on Mexico and Canada unless the US neighbors did more to clamp down on immigration," the news outlet said.
"The peso, one of the most heavily traded emerging-market currencies, lost 18.5% against the greenback last year, and now trades around the lowest level since mid-2022 at 20.7 per dollar," according to Bloomberg.
On Wednesday, after the peso's precipitous one-day decline, Sheinbaum called for "cool heads" to prevail.
"It's important to always keep a cool head and refer to signed agreements, beyond the discourse itself," she told reporters during her regular conference, according to a translation by the Associated Press.
She appeared to be referring to the USMCA trade agreement negotiated during Trump's first term. However, he is looking to renegotiate, particularly when it comes to automotive imports, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The Journal noted a review of the agreement is not due until 2026, but Trump could use a provision in the current agreement to impose tariffs based on a national security threat to the U.S., like unvetted migrants (including potential terrorists) and fentanyl.
During his presidential campaign, Trump often mentioned how the previous president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, positioned a total of 25,000 troops on the U.S.-Mexican border and his nation's border with Guatemala to help stem the flow of migrants.
He did so under threat of tariffs in 2019.
Trump also instituted the "Remain in Mexico" policy, requiring those asylum claims to stay south of the border while their cases are reviewed.
The levels of migrants dropped drastically in the months that followed.
Something tells me a cool-headed decision Sheinbaum will be making soon is to follow Obrador's lead and agree to Trump's demands regarding stemming the flow of migrants and deadly drugs.
I guess we'll see how this works out. Interesting times we are living in. Rams
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 01-24-2025).]
Well, if Mexico wants to continue to not accept these flights, I guess we can just take the illegals back to the border and drop them off. That fence ain't completed yet.
The article said it was a C-17 aircraft. I believe it has a rear cargo door to drop vehicles while in flight. Well, drop some illegals all over the runways. No one said the plane has to actually land if they don't want to accept the flights.
[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 01-25-2025).]
A Mississippi lawmaker is proposing a bill that would pay bounty hunters for assistance in deporting illegal immigrants.
Under the terms of House Bill 1484, the state would create the Mississippi Illegal Alien Certified Bounty Hunter Program, which would pay a $1,000 reward to registered bounty hunters for each successful deportation they facilitate.
"This legislation is about keeping Mississippi communities safe," said Republican state Rep. Justin Keen, who authored the bill.
"We’ve seen firsthand the danger posed by bad actors and violent criminals who enter this country illegally, like the innocent life of Laken Riley," he added. "President Trump’s administration has made it clear that deporting illegal immigrants is a priority, and we are proud to do our part here in Mississippi to help support his agenda and protect our citizens."
Funding for the proposed program would come from the general assembly and be administered by the state treasurer.
The intention, Keen said, is to encourage collaboration between law enforcement and private citizens in identifying illegal immigrants in the state. It would also alleviate financial burdens on Mississippi taxpayers, who bear the costs of illegal immigration, a press release states.
The bill comes as the Trump administration continues to tout tougher policies to combat illegal migration into the United States, as well as crime. Federal immigration authorities have made hundreds of arrests this week of illegal immigrants with criminal histories.
"When President Trump took office this week, he immediately recognized the emergency at our borders, rolling out executive orders to combat illegal immigration and cartels," DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton said in a statement. "This legislation builds upon that foundation, empowering local leaders and communities to support federal efforts in protecting our citizens."
"Legal immigration is a cornerstone of America, and we must ensure that our borders are secure and that the safety of Mississippians comes first," Barton continued.
Personally, I see this as a valid option as long as those "Bounty Hunters" are qualified and registered by the state to do such things. I don't think the average citizen is qualified, equipped or have the knowledge and capability to get this done safely. Although, I can easily see a lessor award going to those reporting illegals within their communities.
Edited: Oh Yeah, I also think the Biden Mafia and the Democratic Party should be the ones paying that reward. They are the ones that invited and let them in.
Rams
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 01-25-2025).]
"It's important to always keep a cool head and refer to signed agreements, beyond the discourse itself," she told reporters during her regular conference, according to a translation by the Associated Press.
Does she not know that NAFTA, a signed agreement, was renegotiated by Trump 45 ? It is now USMCA.
My response to that is exactly the same as I gave to Todd, at the end of This post.
This line? "Yeah, well... it's extremely arrogant attitudes like that which motivate terrorists to fly airliners into highrise towers. Some people never learn."
Originally posted by Patrick: Yeah, well... it's extremely arrogant attitudes like that which motivate terrorists to fly airliners into highrise towers. Some people never learn.
Eextremely arrogant attitudes like that ? Please elaborate.
Caved: capitulate or submit under pressure; cave in: "he caved because his position had become untenable" · "she finally caved in the face of his persistence"
. You really shouldn't mock the guy too much. It took him awhile to realize that implementing tariffs would come back and bite him in the azz... or hit him in the face.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 02-03-2025).]
