Mexican President Urges US to Curb Drug, Arms Trafficking Amid Tariff Threats

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has urged the United States to take stronger action to curb drug and arms trafficking across the border amid escalating tensions following President Donald Trump's threat to impose 30% tariffs on Mexican imports. Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico is doing its part but called for the U.S. to address the flow of illegal firearms into Mexico, which account for about 74% of the weapons used by drug cartels. Despite ongoing binational talks involving trade, energy, immigration, and crime, Sheinbaum insisted that any agreement must respect Mexico's sovereignty and ruled out the presence of U.S. troops on Mexican soil. Analysts and Mexican officials criticize the U.S. for lacking enforcement against arms trafficking, particularly in border states like Texas, Arizona, California, and New Mexico, suggesting the U.S. government has not prioritized combating illegal arms sales fueling cartel violence. The dispute highlights diverging views on responsibility for drug trafficking and border security, with Mexico seeking greater U.S. cooperation to effectively tackle the cross-border flow of weapons and narcotics. Both governments express hope for reaching a deal to avoid tariffs, but tensions remain over the scope and enforcement of joint efforts to address these security challenges.