by Gerónimo Gutiérrez.

Since the start of the second Trump administration this January, relations between Mexico and the United States have been active, tense, volatile but overall polite. Despite the US administrations’ tough talk on immigration and trade - including the imposition of some tariffs as in the case of steel and aluminum - and the fact that American unilateral military action in Mexican territory against the cartels still remains a possibility, Mr. Trump has maintained a somewhat restrained demeanor with his Mexican counterpart, President Claudia Sheinbaum.

After a telephone call on March 6, both leaders agreed for a second time to a truce on trade tariffs until April 2 for goods imported to the US under the United States, Mexico and Canada Agreement (USMCA). More notable perhaps, Mr. Trump emphasized his respect for Ms. Sheinbaum and noted that relations are moving along albeit the difficult context. The tone certainly contrasts with that used by the US president with Canada, his other North American partner. As of now, Trump still asserts that Canada should become the 51st state, a notion that not only infuriates Canadians but baffles many Americans.