Sheinbaum's acid test: This is how she responds to the crisis with Trump

Just months into her term, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum faces a crisis of historic proportions that threatens to define not only her foreign policy but also the tone and capacity of her administration. The abrupt imposition of a 30% tariff by the United States has tested her mettle, her team, and her ability to navigate the turbulent waters of her relationship with her northern neighbor.

In the face of Donald Trump's aggressive rhetoric, President Sheinbaum's initial response has been one of measured confidence, seeking to project calm amid the storm. "I have experience, we will reach an agreement," she declared, in a clear allusion to her role in previous negotiations and her intention to opt for dialogue over confrontation.

This stance has been reinforced by the mobilization of key figures from his cabinet. The participation of Marcelo Ebrard, who called the deal "unfair" but confirmed that Mexico is already in negotiations, signals the activation of an experienced diplomatic team to contain the crisis. The objective is clear: to defuse the threat without ceding sovereignty or escalating the conflict.

Sheinbaum's strategy faces a classic political dilemma. On the one hand, she must project pragmatism toward Washington to facilitate an agreement that avoids devastating economic damage. On the other, she needs to demonstrate firmness to a domestic audience that feels attacked and could interpret an overly conciliatory stance as weakness or capitulation, especially in contrast to the more confrontational style of her predecessor.

In this context, the support of domestic political actors is crucial. Governors, like the one in Sinaloa, have come out in support of the president against what they consider "rumors and slander," in an effort to build a united national front. However, figures like Senator Ricardo Monreal, who recently declared himself in the "final stretch of his political life," are a reminder of the complexity of the domestic political landscape that Sheinbaum must simultaneously manage.

"I'm already experienced, we're going to reach an agreement." – Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico.

This critical moment is forcing President Sheinbaum to forge her own foreign policy identity, one that will have to distinguish itself from that of Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Will she be the technocratic and negotiating leader who prioritizes economic stability, or the nationalist advocate who responds with the same harshness to external pressures?

The handling of this crisis is a real-time test of his ability to lead, coordinate his cabinet, and communicate a coherent strategy to the people of Mexico and the world. The outcome will not only determine the future of the country's most important bilateral relationship and the fate of its economy, but will also shape public perceptions of his presidency and lay the foundation for his political capital for the remainder of his term.