Mexico is taking drastic steps to stop a trade war with the United States. One of the biggest moves is sending thousands of troops to control migration. Over 10,000 National Guard members have been deployed to stop people from moving toward the U.S. border.
For months, Mexico has been breaking up large groups of migrants before they reach border cities. Many migrants are being put on buses and taken to different parts of Mexico, far from the U.S. border. The country has also tightened security, making it harder for migrants to pass through unnoticed.
This effort has led to a dramatic drop in the number of people trying to cross into the U.S. In February, U.S. officials only found about 200 migrants at the border on a single day. This is the lowest number seen in decades.
Mexico detained about 475,000 migrants in the last quarter of 2024, more than double the number detained earlier in the year. These actions are meant to satisfy the U.S. government, which has been pressuring Mexico to stop migrants from entering the U.S. The Mexican government hopes that by taking these steps, they can convince U.S. leaders not to impose high taxes, known as tariffs, on their exports.
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Cracking Down on Cartels and Drugs
Mexico is also focusing on drug cartels, which have long been a problem. The government is making major efforts to arrest top cartel members and stop the production of dangerous drugs, especially fentanyl.
Authorities recently handed over nearly 30 high-level cartel leaders to the U.S. for prosecution. This is one of the biggest extraditions of cartel members in history. Mexico is also working closely with U.S. intelligence agencies to track down more criminals. Secret U.S. drone flights have been used to locate hidden drug labs.
Large amounts of fentanyl have been seized in recent months. In one case, officials found six kilograms of fentanyl at Mexico City’s new international airport. Another bust uncovered 18 kilograms hidden in a passenger bus. In December, authorities made their biggest fentanyl bust ever—800 kilograms in Sinaloa state.
In Puerto Vallarta, two American citizens wanted for trafficking fentanyl were arrested and extradited to Oklahoma. This crackdown is a sharp shift from previous years when cartels operated with little interference. The government’s tougher stance is a response to U.S. pressure, as fentanyl has been blamed for many overdose deaths in America.
By working with U.S. authorities and taking stronger action against the cartels, Mexico hopes to avoid any harsh economic penalties from the U.S. government. The number of overdose deaths in the U.S. has already fallen by about 24% in a year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Targeting China to Win Favor with the U.S.
To further appease the U.S., Mexico is turning its attention to China. In the past, both the countries had strong trade ties, with Chinese goods flooding Mexican markets. But now, it is imposing heavy taxes on Chinese imports to show the U.S. it is willing to stand with them against China.
The government recently raided stores selling fake Chinese goods in Mexico City. On top of that, it has placed a 35% tariff on clothing imports from China. Popular Chinese online retailers like Shein and Temu are also facing higher taxes. A 19% tax has been placed on goods coming from China through courier services.
Mexico’s leaders are sending a clear message that they are ready to limit China’s influence. Just a year ago, trade between the countries was growing rapidly, but now Mexico is shifting its focus to align with U.S. economic interests.
Despite all these efforts, the threat of U.S. tariffs still looms. The U.S. government is considering a 25% tariff on Mexican exports. If enforced, it could hurt Mexico’s economy. The uncertainty has already slowed down business investments, and the country’s central bank has lowered its growth projection from 1.2% to 0.6% for this year. However, for now, the country is doing everything it can to prevent that from happening by cracking down on migrants, drug cartels, and Chinese trade.
