“We negotiate as equals, there is no subordination here.”

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum assured this Tuesday that she will negotiate with the United States as “equals” and that there will be no “subordination” in the face of threats of tariffs and exclusion from the trade agreement made by the president-elect . Of the United States, Donald Trump.

“We negotiate as equals, there is no subordination here because we are a great country and we are hard-working Mexican men and women,” the president said during his morning press conference.

The Mexican President, who some time ago showed the contents of a letter she sent to Trump on the matter, said that the economies of the two countries complement each other and that is why they have an “equal” relationship.

“Because even though the United States has a larger GDP (gross domestic product), we are a cultural power and here Mexican families get together, we love each other, that’s why we have the United States There is no fentanyl crisis like the US and it is the pride of Mexican men and women,” he stressed.

Sheinbaum has defended the treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC), in effect since July 2020 and signed during Trump’s first presidency (2017–2021).

In that sense, he reminded that the T-MEC has been “beneficial” to strengthen the North American economy.

“So, what we are saying there (in the letter) is this: What does tariffs mean with tariffs? “Ultimately this will lead to a loss of competitiveness in North America and the way we want to complement each other,” he said.

Despite the tension generated by Trump’s statements, the Mexican leader was confident that an agreement would be reached, as he assured that the imposition of tariffs would mainly affect consumers.

“What it would mean on this side of being able to raise tariffs is that it would ultimately hurt companies that operate in Mexico and the United States and those are American companies that have been in Mexico for decades, even because Not even a free trade treaty,” he assured.

He pointed out that companies like General Motors have been in Mexico for 80 years and if Trump’s threats are implemented, “they (…) will harm United States consumers who buy General Motors vehicles.” Because increasing tariffs is going to increase prices,” he said.

He stressed that if the problem is migration, the strategy should be to address the reasons that lead people to leave their homes and specified that in the case of fentanyl there would be a broader need to fundamentally address the issue. There should be cooperation.

“Then this will be looked at in a comprehensive manner, that’s why I say that apart from the letter, we will demand a call so that we can sit down (to talk) as soon as possible,” he said.

He reiterated that he is convinced that the solution lies in dialogue and reaching an agreement.

“I am confident, and that should be our position, that we will agree with President Trump,” he said.

Finally, he expressed his respect for the future American President because he is the person who was elected by the people of the United States.

“So we respect that and we ask for respect for ourselves too and in that relationship of respect, always find common cause,” he concluded.