Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador referred to former U.S. President Donald Trump as “a friend” and announced his intentions to write to Trump, warning him against closing the border or blaming migrants for drug trafficking into the United States.
According to a report by NBC News on Friday, July 19, 2024, this statement comes amidst Trump’s campaign for the upcoming presidential election.
Despite the contentious history between the two leaders, López Obrador described Trump as “a man of intelligence and vision.”
This characterization stands in stark contrast to Trump’s previous comments and policies regarding the U.S.-Mexico border.
In 2015, Trump, then a presidential candidate, sparked outrage in Mexico by claiming that many immigrants entering the U.S. illegally were “criminals, drug dealers, rapists.”
The situation further escalated in 2019 when Trump, as president, threatened to close the border “for a long time” unless Mexico stopped migrants from crossing.
The Mexican president emphasized the deep economic ties between the two nations, stating that a border closure would be disastrous for both countries.
“They wouldn’t last a month with the border closed,” López Obrador said, highlighting the dependency of U.S. automakers and manufacturers on the steady flow of parts and products across the border.
In his planned letter to Trump, López Obrador intends to argue that migrants are not responsible for carrying drugs into the United States and that closing the border is an ineffective solution.
“I am going to prove to him that migrants don’t carry drugs to the United States,” he asserted. “Closing the border won’t solve anything, and anyway, it can’t be done.”
López Obrador also addressed the concerns in the United States about the relocation of U.S. auto companies to Mexico, where wages are lower.
He claimed that moving auto production back to the United States would significantly increase the cost of cars for American consumers.
“It would mean that, on average, each automobile sold would cost U.S. citizens between $15,000 and $20,000 more,” he stated.
Despite the frequent frictions and Trump’s often aggressive rhetoric, López Obrador and Trump maintained a seemingly amicable relationship during Trump’s
López Obrador’s willingness to engage with Trump on these issues suggests a pragmatic approach to navigating the U.S.-Mexico relationship, particularly in the context of Trump’s candidacy.
As López Obrador prepares to send his letter, the international community will be watching closely.
The response from Trump, known for his uncompromising stance on immigration and border security, could have significant implications for U.S.-Mexico relations.
For now, López Obrador’s message is clear: closing the border is not a viable solution, and migrants should not be scapegoated for the drug trade.
The coming weeks will likely reveal more about the evolving dynamics between these two leaders and the broader implications for the U.S.-Mexico partnership.
As the election approaches, the discourse surrounding border policy and migration will remain a key issue, shaping the political landscape on both sides of the border.
