Donald Trump Claims Claudia Sheinbaum Will Close the Mexico-U.S. Border

Donald Trump has stirred controversy with his recent announcement on social media. The U.S. president-elect stated that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has agreed to close the border to curb migration into the United States.

“I had a wonderful conversation with the new president of Mexico. She has agreed to stop migration through Mexico and into the U.S., effectively closing our southern border,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Trump’s Border Closure Claim Sparks Backlash

However, Claudia Sheinbaum, the newly inaugurated Mexican president, quickly refuted these claims.

“In our conversation with President Trump, I explained Mexico’s comprehensive strategy to address the migration phenomenon while respecting human rights,” Sheinbaum responded. “Mexico’s position is not to close borders but to build bridges between governments and people.”

BREAKING from Mexico 🇺🇸🇲🇽 President Claudia Sheinbaum has just penned a letter to Donald Trump. It’s brilliant, firm, and unflinching — a document that will set the tone for an entirely new era of US-Mexican relations.

I have posted the English translation below:

“Dear… pic.twitter.com/OJJp90TUc6

— David Adler (@davidrkadler) November 26, 2024

Conflicting Accounts of the Trump-Sheinbaum Call

Trump’s statement followed a phone conversation with Sheinbaum, during which, according to him, they also discussed ways to combat the flow of drugs into the U.S.

Despite Trump’s confident assertions, his transition team has yet to provide evidence of a formal agreement. Furthermore, any potential deal is constrained by the fact that Joe Biden remains president until January 20, 2025.

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Sheinbaum’s version of the conversation, shared on social media, did not mention any agreement to close the border. Instead, she highlighted Mexico’s proactive measures to manage migration, ensuring that caravans are addressed within Mexico to prevent their arrival at the northern border.

She also noted discussions on strengthening security collaboration within the framework of Mexican sovereignty, particularly concerning the fight against fentanyl consumption.

A Familiar Negotiation Tactic

Trump’s statements may be part of a broader negotiating strategy, echoing tactics from his first term. His remarks came shortly after he proposed a 25% tariff on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada, along with an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports.

The tariff announcement has already sparked strong reactions from the affected countries, all key U.S. trading partners. It remains to be seen whether Trump’s approach will yield concrete agreements or further escalate tensions in the region.

This article was originally written in Spanish by Miguel Fernández in Cultura Colectiva News