Mexico refuses to close the border despite Trump's claims

In response to U.S. President Donald Trump's assertion regarding a productive phone conversation about border security, Claudia Sheinbaum, the Mayor of Mexico City, firmly denied any agreement to close the U.S.-Mexico border. During a regular morning news conference on November 28, she emphasized Mexico's commitment to facilitating dialogue between nations rather than closing borders. Sheinbaum expressed that closing the border had never been part of Mexico's approach and highlighted ongoing efforts to address migration issues comprehensively while respecting human rights. The conversation between the two leaders included discussions about the migration phenomenon, with Sheinbaum clarifying Mexico’s strategy implemented to manage the flow of migrants. She detailed how caravans are now being adequately addressed within Mexico before they reach the northern border. Furthermore, she maintained that should Trump follow through with imposing tariffs on Mexican exports, Mexico would have to respond with its counter-tariffs, arguing that this could endanger necessary bilateral business activities and relationships. Sheinbaum also reiterated previous concerns regarding potential tariffs, stating they would lead to a tit-for-tat escalatory situation that risks harming trade between the nations. Despite her calls for collaborative engagement, she indicated that Mexico would not concede to pressure that disrupts trade or human rights considerations. The discussion comes amidst heightened tensions regarding U.S. immigration policy and trade relations. Additionally, Trump's threats to impose steep tariffs on economic partners like Mexico and Canada due to immigration and drug trafficking problems have drawn criticism from various sectors, suggesting that such measures could result in greater economic strain on all involved. The need for cooperative management of migration issues was a central theme of the dialogue, with Sheinbaum conveying that diplomatic approaches should prevail over confrontational tactics such as border closures or tariff wars.