Ricardo Pascoe Pierce
There is an interpretation that Trump’s pressures and attacks on Mexico are functional to Sheinbaum so that she can avoid answering about the internal problems she faces. What better than having an international sparring partner to maintain a high internal popularity and, simultaneously, not answer about the growing internal violence, the recessive trend of the economy, and the lack of resources to cover vital services for the national economy?
Recall that Trump was functional to the newly elected Canadian Prime Minister, when his party was apparently walking to inevitable defeat. Canadian nationalism and anti-Trump sentiment facilitated the surprise electoral victory of the Liberal Party in that country.
However, Canada’s situation differs significantly from Mexico’s, especially regarding Trump and bilateral conflicts. First, the Canadian government applied reciprocal tariffs to those imposed by Trump. It even applied tariffs to other U.S. products exported to Canada.
On the other hand, it is evident that both the issue of fentanyl and migration are entirely different between the United States and Canada or Mexico. Additionally, Trump proposed annexing Canada to his country, which is not the case with Mexico.
This is to say that Trump’s attacks on Canada are of a different quality and content than his attacks on Mexico. They have had a different impact, mobilizing all Canadians to promote the “Buy Canadian” campaign.
The attacks on Mexico have been met with a response that some call “cool-headed,” but which can also be interpreted as “as you say.” Mexico did not impose reciprocal tariffs on imported aluminum, steel, or vehicle parts from the United States. Still, it does apply tariffs to Chinese imports and cancels investments from the Asian giant in Mexico.
In addition, Mexico is receiving all those expelled from the United States, both Mexicans and other nationalities. It is stepping up its attacks on drug trafficking groups, shutting down hundreds of fentanyl laboratories, which AMLO swore did not exist, and sending gang leaders to the United States to be tried there.
In other words, Mexico fully complies with Trump’s demands, unlike Canada, which openly confronted the US.
So, should we say that Sheinbaum’s popularity is due to Mexico acting submissively to Trump and his demands, or is it equivalent to saying that Mexicans accept to act, contrary to the Canadians, applauding the submission of our government to the U.S.? I do not believe this is the case.
Perhaps Sheinbaum is recognized for not getting into the ring with Trump. However, the underlying reasons for the supposed presidential popularity have to do, in my opinion, with internal factors.
The main reason is that there is a justified fear that the national economy is on pins. The shortage is felt in popular consumption with all the force of a growing inflation. The prices of products sold in public markets are growing day by day. Unemployment is also growing, according to official data, while health and education coverage are deteriorating rapidly and noticeably. That is to say, at the ground level, people feel fear. And they desperately seek the shelter of the State and social programs as their only lifeline. The government’s promise to continue with social spending receives the approval vote of the people, certain that without this support, they will go hungry.
The opposition forces also do not offer an umbrella of protection. A squalid opposition continues to be the reality in Mexico, dialectically making the official party a priceless subject. Morena intended a brutal blow to democracy. But in this moment of economic panic, the election of the Judiciary is anecdotal, not to say incidental, in the lives of most Mexicans.
Presidential popularity is not due to Trump. The internal crisis is the backdrop that facilitates the advancement of a powerful autocratic project in Mexico. The proposed Telecommunications Law is consistent with the election of judges and the people’s fear of starvation, perhaps affected by reduced remittances. People seek refuge under the emaciated government tree as a last resort in the face of the abyss. To this end, they swear allegiance to the President when they run into the pollster on duty.
@rpascoep
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