Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum said she has not received an invite to Donald Trump’s inauguration, insisting that it is not a problem even as tariff threats from the incoming US president strain their relationship.
Esteban Moctezuma, Mexico’s ambassador to the US, will attend the Jan. 20 ceremony in her place, Sheinbaum said at her Tuesday news conference, adding that it is “no problem.”
Relations between Trump and Sheinbaum, who took office in October, are off to a rocky start after he pledged to impose tariffs of up to 25% on Mexico if it doesn’t help stem the flow of drugs and migrants into the US.
A spokesperson for Trump didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Sheinbaum spoke with Trump about Mexico’s progress on migration and drug trafficking during a November phone call and said she is confident that the two countries will maintain a good relationship. But even while pledging to collaborate, Sheinbaum has taken steps to show she won’t bend to pressure from her northern neighbor.
Last week, she needled Trump over his assertion that he would attempt to rename the Gulf of Mexico, saying that part of the US should be rechristened as “America Mexicana.” Sheinbaum also vowed her country would not be subordinated during a speech on Sunday.
Trump’s relationships and personal political affinities appear to be shaping the guest list for next week’s ceremony, in Latin America and beyond. Libertarian Argentina President Javier Milei is planning to travel to Washington for the ceremony, and right-wing former Brazil leader Jair Bolsonaro has said that he received an invite. Both are close allies of Trump.
Sheinbaum also downplayed the lack of an invitation earlier this month, saying that US presidents do not always invite other heads of state to the ceremony.
TYT Newsroom
