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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she drew a red line to protect the nation's sovereignty during a recent phone call with President Donald Trump, firmly rejecting his proposition to deploy U.S. troops in Mexico, she said at an event Saturday. "I told him, 'No, President Trump, our territory is inviolable, our sovereignty is inviolable, our sovereignty is not for sale,'" Sheinbaum said. Newsweek has reached out to the White House and State Department for comment via email on Saturday.
Why It Matters The United States and Mexico have engaged in a series of negotiations in recent months on key issues including immigration, drug trafficking, and shared water resources. Sheinbaum has signaled she will cooperate with the U.S., but has drawn firm boundaries around Mexican sovereignty, making clear that any collaboration must respect the nation's autonomy. Trump largely campaigned on economic and immigration policies, pledging to levy numerous tariffs and cracking down on illegal immigration.
In February, he imposed a 25 percent tariff on Mexico in order to hold the country "accountable to their promises of halting illegal immigration and stopping poisonous fentanyl and other drugs from flowing into our country." The tariffs were paused for 30-days. After months of negotiations, the neighbors reached a deal ensuring that Mexico will deliver its overdue water obligations under a longstanding 1944 treaty, providing relief to Texas farmers and ranchers who have faced shortages.
What To Know At a public event on Saturday, the Mexican president addressed a recent Wall Street Journal report detailing Trump's pressure on Mexico to combat drug cartels, saying the report was "true…but not as described." Sheinbaum recounted a recent phone call with Trump, saying the two discussed drug trafficking. While she expressed openness to increased intelligence sharing, she said she rejected his suggestion of deploying U.S. troops in Mexico.
In February, Mexico had agreed to deploy some 10,000 troops along the border. "We will never accept the presence of the United States Army in our territory," she told the audience, recounting her remarks to Trump. He comments drew applause and supportive cheers from the crowd.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum speaks at Santa Lucia Air Base near Mexico City on April 22. Inset: President Donald Trump walks before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on April… Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum speaks at Santa Lucia Air Base near Mexico City on April 22. Inset: President Donald Trump walks before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on April 29 in Washington, D.C. More Yuri Cortez/AFP/Win McNamee/Getty Images What People Are Saying President Donald Trump, in an April 10 Truth Social post: "My Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, is standing up for Texas farmers, and we will keep escalating consequences, including TARIFFS and, maybe even SANCTIONS, until Mexico honors the Treaty, and GIVES TEXAS THE WATER THEY ARE OWED!"
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum said on April 22: "We don't accept invasions or interference. We are not a protectorate or colony of any foreign country." General Gregory Guillot, commander of the U.S. Northern Command, said on Thursday: "The establishment of a second National Defense Area increases our operational reach and effectiveness in denying illegal activity along the southern border.
This is the second area in which Joint Task Force – Southern Border service members who are already detecting and monitoring through stationary positions and mobile patrols nearby can now temporarily detain trespassers until they are transferred to an appropriate law enforcement entity." What Happens Next? The water agreement solidified a plan for immediate and short-term water relief for this growing season, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The department said it also welcomes further collaboration with Mexico on treaty agreements related to the outstanding water debts. The Trump administration continues to carry out its hardline immigration policy, which has resulted in detention and deportation of some Mexican nationals. The U.S. Department of Defense has designated two stretches on the border with Mexico as military zones.
Update 5/3/25, 5:34 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
