Mexico City (AP) – Tens of thousands of people packed into the Mexican city of Main Plaza on Sunday to celebrate President Claudia Sinbaum and his decision to postpone tariffs on many US goods.
The crowd clenched the large Mexican flag and cried out, “Mexico should be respected!” Just as they cheered for Shainbaum.
“Fortunately, there’s a wide range of dialogue and respect,” she told the crowd.
The celebration said Sinbaum made progress on drug smuggling and illegal immigration days after President Donald Trump postponed a month’s 25% tariff on many imports from Mexico.
Sinbaum had planned to announce retaliation measures on Sunday, but instead gave a massive celebration.
While the threat continues, the president said that her optimistic tariffs will not apply to Mexico and will continue to act with a “cool head” in the face of Trump.
Among Sheinbaum’s supporters was Roberto González, a 68-year-old computer scientist who raised a sign that read “We Are United Mexicans.”
“Unity in this country is extremely important,” Gonzalez said. It is the only way Mexico can “facing one of the world’s biggest forces.”
The president was also rooting for Mariana Rivera, a 40-year-old social activist, who had raised the Mexican flag as high as her arms allowed.
Despite the dark clouds hanging from the country, activists said they are confident that “the president will overcome everything.”
Analysts don’t expect the jubilant ceremony to alleviate the new investment and the uncertainty environment that threatens the Mexican economy, but they say it will help Sinbaum integrate internal support for Trump, which has set the pace of bilateral relations with his powerful rhetoric.
“This is an event designed for internal politics,” said Javier Rosiles Salas, a political scientist and academic scientist, who said Sheinbaum will try to strengthen her image and leadership at the event on Sunday.
Rosiles Salas told The Associated Press that despite concerns in Mexico, the conflict with Trump could unleash the tariff war with the US (more than 80% of Mexican exports and destinations) could “have been extremely profitable for Claudia Sheinbaum, allowing her to surpass 60%.”
The 62-year-old president looks strong now, but it’s not clear whether her political support will weaken if the Mexico economy deteriorates due to tensions with the US
For now, the forecasts from experts and rating agencies are unfavorable. Most analysts agree that if general tariffs are imposed, Mexico could face a contraction of more than 1% of its gross domestic product.
The long-term climate of uncertainty does not support Mexico, according to Samuel Ortiz Velázquez, professor of economics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
After telephone conversations with his counterparts in Mexico and Canada, Trump decided to suspend general tariffs on products under the trilateral trade agreement until April 2nd last Thursday. In early February, Trump also suspended tariffs after Sinbaum committed to sending 10,000 national guards to the 10,000 border, containing drug trafficking.
Despite the agreement, Trump’s decision on a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum in Mexico and Canada, scheduled to take effect on March 12, remains in scope.
