Sheinbaum Calls US Suspension of Mexican Beef Imports Due to Screwworm Infection "Unfair"

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum strongly rejected the United States' decision to temporarily suspend imports of Mexican cattle on Monday, calling it "unfair" and expressing concern about its potential economic repercussions.

The trade relationship between Mexico and the United States is facing a new point of tension. During her morning press conference, President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the recent measure announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which suspends the import of Mexican cattle for 15 days due to the detection of the New World screwworm (NWS) in some shipments.

"Unfair Measure": Mexico's Position "We do not agree with this measure. We consider it to be an unfair measure," Sheinbaum declared forcefully. The president argued that the Mexican government has been taking action on the matter since the health problem was detected. "The Mexican government has been working on all fronts from the first moment we were alerted about the screwworm," she emphasized.

This specific dispute falls within a broader context of trade and political friction under the Trump administration. Sanitary measures, although technically justified by the importing country, can often be perceived or used as tools of economic or political pressure. Sheinbaum expressed hope that this suspension would not translate into another economic blow for Mexico, recalling the previous months in which her government had worked to counter Trump's tariff threats.

The US Justification and Context From Washington, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated that the suspension is necessary for food and animal safety, and denied that it is politically motivated. "The protection of our animals and the security of our nation's food supply is a matter of paramount national security importance," Rollins said in a statement.

However, the measure comes at a time of heightened sensitivity on the southern border, a central issue in Trump's presidential campaign, which focused on illegal immigration. It's worth remembering that the US had already restricted shipments of Mexican cattle at the end of last November, lifting the ban in February 2025 after Mexico implemented protocols to inspect the animals before shipment. Sheinbaum's swift response now seeks to project control and proactivity, hoping to limit the economic and diplomatic damage.

Next Steps and the USMCA The USDA has indicated that it will maintain daily collaboration with Mexican authorities and that a review of the most recent data will be conducted in two weeks. Additionally, the US is deploying specialized personnel ("Tick Riders") to monitor livestock and wildlife along the southern border for signs of the NWS.

"The protection of our animals and the security of our nation's food supply is a matter of national security... This is not about politics or punishing Mexico, but about food and animal safety." – Brooke Rollins, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

Meanwhile, Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said he expects the revision of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to take place during the second half of the year, a process that could be influenced by the current tensions.

Do you think the US measure is justified or a result of political pressure? Let us know in the comments.

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