Mexico's new president causes concern just weeks before the US elections

The US election is just around the corner, and relations between Mexico and the United States could be affected depending on who gets elected in November. CNN highlights three key issues impacting ties between both countries.

Security is the first thing that stands out. Mexico is a crucial ally of the United States when it comes to fighting drug trafficking and cartels. The relationship was affected after the arrest of the alleged drug kingpin Ismael Zambada by US authorities in July.

The operation, which also led to the arrest of Joaquín Guzmán López, son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, was criticized by the Mexican government, which was not involved in the sting. “The United States government has to give a complete report, it is not just general statements, there must be information, there must be transparency,” said then-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, according to El Observador.

Diplomatic relations were already strained before the cartel lord's arrest. López Obrador had already criticized the DEA after an investigation claimed that his 2006 presidential campaign received money from drug trafficking. CNN highlights that he denied the accusations and said these were not compatible with bilateral cooperation on migration and fighting the drug trade.

Migration is another hot topic. Day after day, at his rallies, former President Donald Trump spoke against illegal immigrants in the United States. It has become a central issue for his campaign, and one very important for his rival, Vice President Kamala Harris.

CNN says Mexico has been key in decreasing detentions at the US border. After reaching historic highs in 2023, the Biden and López Obrador administrations reached an informal agreement that resulted in the “El Carrusel” program.

As explained by the Spanish newspaper ABC, the program stops migrants on their way to the United States and returns them to Central America. The intention is to discourage these people from reaching the US border after several failed attempts.

Another measure adopted by Mexico was tightening visa requirements. The country now also offers economic incentives for migrants, such as Venezuelans, to return to their countries of origin. With this, crossings fell to the lowest levels since 2020. As ABC reports, in September there were 54,000 migrant arrests at the border.

Finally, there is the money issue. The United States is Mexico's largest trading partner. 85% of Mexico's exports go to its northern neighbor, according to political scientist José Luis Valdés, who spoke to CNN. However, these relations could be redefined regardless of who wins the election, since both Trump and Harris want to review the USMCA, the Mexico-United States-Canada Free Trade Agreement.

Also of concern is that the new Mexican president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has been strengthening ties with China. A Chinese electric car plant opening in Mexico has raised the alarm among politicians from the Democratic Party in the United States.

In a letter to Sheinbaum, 20 Democratic members of Congress warned the following: “The fact that Chinese companies, including the automaker BYD, have announced plans for assembly plants in Mexico increase the possibility that these companies will try to avoid tariffs by producing in Mexico.”

Until November 5, relations between Mexico and the United States are waiting to find out what person will define its future: Kamala Harris or Donald Trump? Whoever it is, it will begin a new chapter of cooperation between leaders and governments to work for a strong and united continent.

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