Mexico City – Tens of thousands of people packed in the main square of Mexico City on Sunday to celebrate with President Claudia Sheinbaum a decision of the United States to postpone tariffs on many of the country’s assets.
The crowd grabbed large Mexican flags and shouted: “Mexico must be respected!” While they cheered Sheinbaum.
“Fortunately, dialogue and respect have prevailed,” he told the crowd.
The celebration occurs only a few days after the president of the United States, Donald Trump postponed 25% tariffs in many imports from Mexico For a month, saying that Sheinbaum had progressed in drug smuggling and illegal immigration.
Sheinbaum had planned to announce any reprisal measure on Sunday, but instead celebrated a mass celebration.
While the threats persist, the president said that it was optimistic rates would not apply to Mexico and that he would continue to act with a “cold head” in front of Trump.
Among the followers of Sheinbaum was Roberto González, a 68 -year -old computer scientist who raised a sign that said “We are United Mexican people.”
“The unity of the country is very important,” González said, added that it is the only way Mexico could “face one of the world’s greatest powers.”
Also encouraging President Mariana Rivera, a 40 -year -old social activist who raised a massive Mexican flag as high as his arms allowed.
Despite the dark clouds that hang on the country, the activist said she was convinced that “the president will exceed everything.”
Analysts say that the jubilant ceremony relieves the climate of uncertainty that threatens the new investments and the Mexican economy, but would help Sheinbaum consolidate internal support against Trump, who is establishing the rhythm of bilateral relations with his powerful rhetoric.
“This is a more designed event for internal policy,” said political and academic Javier Rosiles Salas, stating that Sheinbaum will seek to strengthen his image and leadership with the Sunday event.
Rosiles Salas told Associated Press that, despite the concerns in Mexico about the economic impacts that a tariff war with the United States, its main commercial partner and destination of more than 80% of Mexican exports, could unleash, the confrontation with Trump has been “very profitable for Claudia Sheinbaum” and has allowed him to achieve popular support of more than 60% in his term.
Although the 62 -year -old president seems strong now, it is not clear if his political support would weaken if the Mexican economy deteriorates due to tensions with the United States.
For now, the projections of specialists and qualification agencies are not favorable. Most analysts agree that if general tariffs are imposed, Mexico could face a contraction of more than 1% of the gross domestic product.
A prolonged climate of uncertainty does not favor Mexico, according to Samuel Ortiz Velásquez, professor at the Faculty of Economics of the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
After telephone conversations with their counterparts in Mexico and Canada, Trump decided last Thursday to stop until April 2, the general rates of products that are under a trilateral commercial agreement. At the beginning of February, Trump also suspended the tariffs after Sheinbaum promised to send 10,000 national guards to the northern border to contain drug trafficking.
Despite the agreements, Trump’s decision on 25% rates on steel and aluminum in Mexico and Canada, which are scheduled to enter into force on March 12, remains in Limbo.
