Sheinbaum sets her stance on Trump: diplomacy, not trade war.

President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to Donald Trump's trade aggression with a clear strategy: to seek a "comprehensive agreement" that encompasses security and trade, rather than starting a tariff war. This is the first major test of her foreign policy.

In her first major test of fire on the international stage, President Claudia Sheinbaum has outlined her government's stance toward the Donald Trump administration. Faced with the imposition of a 17% "compensatory quota" on Mexican tomatoes, the response from the National Palace has been forceful in its strategy: diplomacy over confrontation.

"Mexico will seek a comprehensive agreement with the United States," Sheinbaum declared during her morning press conference, emphasizing that her government will work on a comprehensive plan encompassing security and trade to reach a "general agreement" with the White House. With these words, the president rules out, for now, a "tit-for-tat" response that could escalate into a costly trade war.

Sheinbaum's strategy is based on projecting control and confidence. By speaking of a "global agreement," she attempts to elevate the discussion beyond a simple dispute over an agricultural product, placing it within the framework of the complex and multifaceted bilateral relationship. It is an attempt to change the playing field imposed by Washington.

However, this apparent calm contrasts with the perception of analysts and critics, who point out that Mexico is acting under intense pressure. The tomato measure is not an isolated incident. It follows other actions, such as a bill in the US Congress requiring US agencies to evaluate their Mexican counterparts, an act viewed as clear interference.

Comments like "Whatever Mexico does is never enough," circulating in political circles, reflect the view that the Trump administration uses these tactics to keep Mexico in a reactive and defensive position.

The timing of this dispute is no coincidence. With the revision of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) scheduled for 2026, every current move is a piece in a long-term chess game. This de facto tariff on tomatoes can be interpreted as an opening salvo, a tactic to weaken Mexico's negotiating position before formal talks begin.

Sheinbaum's decision not to escalate the conflict could be seen as a prudent move to protect the USMCA, the engine of Mexico's export-oriented economy. However, it also carries significant risk. If diplomacy doesn't bear fruit, the stance could be interpreted as weakness, inviting the US administration to exert even more pressure in the future.

"The president is confident of reaching a general agreement with the Donald Trump administration on security, trade, and cooperation." – Official position of the Mexican government.

The execution of this diplomatic strategy will fall to key figures in Sheinbaum's cabinet. The Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP), the Ministry of Economy, and the Mexican Embassy in Washington, D.C. will be tasked with navigating the turbulent waters of negotiations with their U.S. counterparts.

Sheinbaum's response defines her foreign policy doctrine in real time. It is a commitment to negotiation and interdependence over confrontation. The success or failure of this strategy will not only determine the future of the tomato industry but will also set the precedent for how Mexico, under her leadership, will face the challenges of a relationship with the United States that is expected to be complex and often conflictive.