MEXICO CITY — In a news conference held on Monday, the departing U.S. ambassador to Mexico expressed his expectations of “significant changes” in the diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and Mexico with the arrival of the new Trump administration. Ken Salazar noted concerns circulating due to numerous threats that have been made. Despite the apprehension, he emphasized that for any real reform of the current “broken” immigration system, collaboration with the Mexican government is essential.
President-elect Donald Trump has signaled the possibility of imposing severe tariffs if Mexico does not take stronger actions to curb immigration and combat fentanyl trafficking. Salazar, who has represented the U.S. in Mexico during President Joe Biden’s administration, is to be succeeded by Ron Johnson. Johnson, who served as ambassador to El Salvador during Trump’s first term and has a background with the CIA, is currently awaiting confirmation from the Senate after being appointed by Trump in December.
Salazar’s exit marks a potential transformation in U.S.-Mexico relations under the new Trump administration and the newly inaugurated President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum. This transition poses a challenge that could test the economic and political ties between the two neighboring nations, which are considered vital in the diplomatic landscape of the region.
In recent years, the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico has been relatively stable. Mexico has played a significant role in assisting the U.S. with managing migrant flows, while U.S. officials, including Salazar, have generally refrained from criticizing the actions of the previous Mexican administration led by Sheinbaum’s ally, Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
During his farewell address on Monday, Salazar highlighted what he referred to as “historic cooperation” between the two nations concerning security, migration issues, economic initiatives, and efforts to tackle fentanyl production. However, this cooperative spirit faced challenges last year when López Obrador reacted negatively to Salazar’s critique of a contentious judicial reform initiated by his government and the significant incident surrounding the kidnapping and eventual capture of drug lord Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. As a result, López Obrador temporarily paused relations with the U.S. Embassy.
Trump’s pledges regarding mass deportations and imposing tariffs are likely to exacerbate existing tensions. Sheinbaum has responded with a firm yet cooperative approach toward Trump; however, it remains uncertain whether she can sustain the same positive relationship that previously existed between Trump and López Obrador, who also embraced populist ideals.
Given the nearly 2,000-mile (3,218-kilometer) border and a deeply integrated trade partnership worth hundreds of billions of dollars annually, maintaining robust diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Mexico has historically been essential to American foreign policy.
