From Trump tariffs to social programs, Mexico's first female president takes stock in address

President Claudia Sheinbaum celebrated her government's handling of relations with the Trump administration, progressive gains and controversial judicial reforms during her first state of the nation address. She left out major problems including ongoing cartel violence and democratic concerns over concentration of executive power. Sheinbaum took office in October as Mexico's first female president and has maintained polling approval between 70% and 80%. Her administration countered potential U.S. tariffs by aggressively targeting cartels and fentanyl production and by delivering dozens of cartel figures wanted by U.S. authorities. The government insisted on respecting Mexican sovereignty and rejected potential American military intervention.

Things are going well, and they're only going to get better, she promised. Chief among Sheinbaum's challenges has been navigating Mexico's inextricable political and economic relationship with the United States as President Donald Trump has doled out tariffs globally and pressured allies into making concessions. Sheinbaum has been able to dodge the brunt of Trump's tariffs by going after Mexican cartels and their fentanyl production more aggressively than her predecessor.

In recent months, the government has delivered dozens of cartel figures long wanted by U.S. authorities to the Trump administration. At the same time, her administration has insisted that the Trump administration respect Mexican sovereignty, and has rejected talk of potential American military action against cartels in Mexican territory. Under no circumstance will we accept interventions, interference, or any other act from abroad that is detrimental to the integrity, independence, and sovereignty of the country, she said.

Sheinbaum, who is nearing the end of her first year in office, notably left out some of the major problems still simmering in Mexico, including ongoing cartel violence plaguing much of the country and democratic concerns over wider concentration of executive power. Mexico's first female president took office in October and has led the Latin American nation of 131 million at a time of radical global shifts. Despite that, the 63-year-old progressive leader has enjoyed soaring approval rates between 70% and 80% in Mexican polls.

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