Mexico will hit back at US President Donald Trump's tariffs with retaliatory duties of its own, President Claudia Sheinbaum said Tuesday, accusing Washington of "defamatory" claims against her government.
There was "no reason or justification" for Trump to impose the 25 percent tariffs despite Mexico's collaboration in efforts to tackle drug smuggling, she said at her morning news conference.
"We will always seek a negotiated solution," Sheinbaum said, adding that she expected to speak to Trump by phone later this week, "probably" on Thursday.
"The unilateral decision taken by the United States affects national and foreign companies that operate in our country and affects our people. Therefore, we have decided to respond with tariff and non-tariff measures," she said.
Sheinbaum accused Washington of publishing "an offensive, defamatory and unsupported statement," after the White House alleged that drug cartels "operate unhindered due to an intolerable relationship with the government of Mexico."
Her government would announce details of its response in Mexico City's main square on Sunday, according to the leftwing leader, who enjoys an approval rating of 85 percent according to a poll published on Monday by El Financiero newspaper.
"I call on the Mexican people to face this challenge together, to remain united. I repeat, it is time to defend Mexico and its sovereignty. We must be vigilant and calm, with a cool head," she said.
Sheinbaum's government agreed last month to deploy 10,000 more troops to the border with the United States to curb fentanyl flows.
Last week, Mexico pledged to take coordinated actions to tackle drug trafficking.
It also extradited some of its most notorious imprisoned drug lords to the United States, including a cartel kingpin wanted for decades over the murder of a US undercover agent.
While Mexico is ready to collaborate, Washington "must also take charge of the opioid consumption crisis that has caused so many deaths in the United States," Sheinbaum said.
With AFP
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