Mexico's Sheinbaum Praised For Cool-Handed Approach to Trump and Trade Talks: 'She Never Takes the Bait'

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is drawing praise from analysts and officials for her calm, pragmatic handling of relations with U.S. President Donald Trump, as a new sprawling report from Politico explains.

"She's done a masterful job of never taking the bait," said Michael Camuñez, former assistant secretary of Commerce at the International Trade Administration during the Obama administration.

Although a planned in-person meeting at the June G-7 summit was canceled, regular calls between the two have allowed Sheinbaum to keep tensions low, striking a balance between responding to U.S. demands and preserving domestic support. Unlike many leaders who face volatile interactions, Sheinbaum has maintained steady communication with Trump, focusing on cooperation on key issues like border security and fentanyl enforcement.

Early in her presidency, for example, Sheinbaum agreed to deploy 10,000 troops to the U.S. border and extradited cartel members, demonstrating commitment to collaboration despite risks at home. She has also ramped up seizures of fentanyl precursors and opioid lab raids, aligning with Trump's priorities without resorting to retaliatory tariffs or harsh rhetoric.

"She's been crystal clear on Mexico's efforts with data and follow-up," said a Mexican official consulted by Politico. Her fact-based approach resonates with American counterparts and has earned goodwill within the White House. Trump himself has called their recent conversations "very successful" and emphasized growing mutual understanding.

Sheinbaum's domestic popularity—about 60% at election and maintaining near 75% approval—has algo given her room to meet U.S. demands despite corruption and cartel challenges.

Progress in bilateral cooperation, including efforts to cut fentanyl precursor flows and improved information sharing, helped delay new U.S. tariffs on Mexican goods. U.S. officials highlight the positive impact, with Ambassador Ronald Johnson recently stating cartels are "going bankrupt" thanks to joint efforts.

By contrast, another popular leader in the region, Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has taken a much more confrontational stance toward Trump's administration, as relayed in another recent in-depth report by The New York Times. Lula publicly condemned Trump's threat to impose 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods, framing it as political retaliation linked to Brazil's independent judiciary prosecuting former President Jair Bolsonaro.

"We treat this with the utmost seriousness, but seriousness does not require subservience," Lula said. He has continuously insisted on respect and sovereignty, rejecting Trump's ultimatum-style diplomacy.

Analysts see Sheinbaum's pragmatic, low-profile engagement and Lula's outspoken defiance as emblematic of the contrasting strategies Latin American leaders are using to navigate an unpredictable U.S. presidency.