President Sheinbaum To Maintain Mexico's Sovereignty And Independence

JAKARTA - President Claudia Sheinbaum stressed on Tuesday that she would defend Mexico's sovereignty and independence, still seeking dialogue with President Donald Trump, a day after she began her second term as her new United States leader with a series of executive orders, one of which was curbing immigration.

In his first comments following the Republican's inauguration, President Sheinbaum noted that some of his initial announcements were very similar to the actions he took during his previous term, as he also tried to convince Mexicans he would vehemently defend their interests.

"Regarding the executive order signed by President Donald Trump yesterday, I would like to say the following: The Mexican people can be sure that we will always defend our sovereignty and independence," he said, flanked by Mexico's foreign and domestic ministers.

"It's always important to have a cool head," added Sheinbaum.

The left-wing leader, who took office last October, specifically refrained from issuing a tariff threat himself over imports from the United States in response to Trump's proposal the day before that he could implement a 25 percent overall import duty on Mexican goods from February.

President Sheinbaum restricted his response by saying he would respond "step by step."

Earlier, President Sheinbaum and his economy minister had advised Mexico to retaliate in the same way if the new US Government imposed import duties on its exports.

It is known, about 80 percent of Mexico's exports are aimed at the United States, the world's largest economy.

Responding to President Trump's first steps to stop illegal migration, President Sheinbaum said his government would meet migrants' needs in a "humane way", as he also promised to repatriate foreign migrants to their home countries.

He said negotiations, including with Washington, would determine who would bear the bill.

President Trump is expected to sign more executive orders on the second day of his term, following measures issued on Monday to designate Mexico's drug cartel as a terrorist organization.

At his regular press conference in the morning, President Sheinbaum noted, although Trump signed an executive order declaring illegal immigration on the US-Mexico border a national state of emergency, he would insist on relations that respect each other and avoid confrontation.

He also reiterated that his government will seek coordination on security and other issues with its neighbors in the north, and that the USMCA North American trade pact will be reviewed in 2026, not before that.