Trump to Mexico, Mexico to Trump

Trump to Mexico: “Fuck You”

Trump’s post of November 5, 2024:

As everyone is aware, thousands of people are pouring through Mexico and Canada, bringing Crime and Drugs at levels never seen before. Right now a Caravan coming from Mexico, composed of thousands of people, seems to be unstoppable in its quest to come through our currently Open Border. On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders. This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country! Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem. We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!

Mexico to Trump: “Fuck You Very Much”

President Scheinbaum responded,

Dear President-elect Donald Trump, 

I am writing to you regarding your statement on Monday, November 25, concerning migration, fentanyl trafficking, and tariffs. 

You may not be aware that Mexico has developed a comprehensive policy to assist migrants from different parts of the world who cross our territory en route to the southern border of the United States. As a result, and according to data from your country’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP), encounters at the Mexico–United States border have decreased by 75% between December 2023 and November 2024. Moreover, half of those who arrive do so through a legally scheduled appointment under the United States’ CBP One program. For these reasons, migrant caravans no longer arrive at the border. 

Even so, it is clear that we must work together to create a new labor mobility model that is necessary for your country, as well as address the root causes that compel families to leave their homes out of necessity. If even a small percentage of what the United States allocates to war were instead dedicated to building peace and fostering development, it would address the underlying causes of human mobility. 

On another note, and for humanitarian reasons, Mexico has consistently expressed its willingness to help prevent the fentanyl epidemic in the United States from continuing. This is, after all, a public health and consumption problem within your society. So far this year, Mexican armed forces and prosecutors have seized tons of various types of drugs, 10,340 firearms, and have detained 15,640 individuals for violence related to drug trafficking. 

Furthermore, the Mexican Congress is in the process of approving a constitutional reform to classify the production, distribution, and commercialization of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs as a serious crime without bail. However, it is publicly known that the chemical precursors used to produce this and other synthetic drugs are illegally entering Canada, the United States, and Mexico from Asian countries. This underscores the urgent need for international collaboration. You must also be aware of the illegal trafficking of firearms into my country from the United States. 

For every tariff, there will be a response in kind, until we put at risk our shared enterprises. Yes, shared. For instance, among Mexico’s main exporters to the United States are General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford Motor Company, which arrived in Mexico 80 years ago. Why impose a tariff that would jeopardize them? Such a measure would be unacceptable and would lead to inflation and job losses in both the United States and Mexico. 

I am convinced that North America’s economic strength lies in maintaining our trade partnership. This allows us to remain competitive against other economic blocs. For this reason, I believe that dialogue is the best path to understanding, peace, and prosperity for our nations. I hope our teams can meet soon to continue building joint solutions.”

Trump to Mexico: Neeever Mind!

Trump claims a win on immigration after a call with Mexico’s president. But she suggests no change

Looks a whole lot like the old Slap-a-New-Coat-of-Paint-on-NAFTA-and-Call-it-a-Famous-Victory gambit.

And Apart from That, How Did You Like the Play, Mrs. Lincoln?

In this video, Jason Stanley, professor of philosophy at Yale and author of Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future, makes it sound as if the authoritarians are bound to win.

Stanley’s pessimism contrasts with David Brooks, who contends that Trump isn’t organized enough to be a Mussolini. That, according to Brooks, is the good news. The bad news is that he’s an anarchist.

But I digress. I take Professor Stanley’s point about the fascist oligarchs. But our side has its own billionaires. Contrary to what your instinct might be, IMHO, our side needs to work with them—and to discourage any of them planning to leave the country.