Donald Trump is back, and he’s bringing his signature brand of bold action to one of the nation’s most contentious issues: the southern border. During his first presidency, Trump made securing the border a cornerstone of his administration, pushing for a border wall and cracking down on illegal immigration. But under Joe Biden, border security took a nosedive, with illegal crossings skyrocketing and states like Texas waving the red flag that the situation had spiraled out of control.
Now, after a decisive victory that many attribute to voters’ frustration with border mismanagement, Trump is ready to pick up where he left off. Even before retaking the Oval Office, he’s already flexing his negotiating muscles, threatening to slap Mexico—and Canada, for good measure—with hefty 25% tariffs if they don’t step up. The message is clear: help stem the tide of illegal immigrants and drugs flooding into the U.S., or face the financial consequences.
At first, Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, bristled at Trump’s threat, vowing to retaliate with tariffs of her own. But after a private chat with Trump, her tone seemingly softened. Trump, ever the salesman, took to Truth Social to announce a breakthrough. According to him, Sheinbaum agreed to stop the flow of migrants through Mexico, effectively sealing off the southern border. He also hinted at tackling the U.S. drug crisis, calling the conversation “very productive.”
Sheinbaum’s public statement was more measured. On X (formerly Twitter), she described the talk as an “excellent” discussion about “strengthening collaboration on security issues.” While she didn’t outright confirm Trump’s claims, her remarks suggest a willingness to tighten control over migrant caravans passing through Mexico. However, she stopped short of endorsing measures like a stronger border wall, framing her efforts as ensuring that migrants are “served” within Mexico’s borders.
It’s a classic Trump negotiation: strong-arm tactics paired with just enough charm to get the ball rolling. For those concerned about border security, this marks progress, albeit with a few question marks.
But Trump isn’t stopping at Mexico. He’s turning his sights on China, threatening an additional 10% tariff if Beijing doesn’t address its role in the fentanyl crisis. The drug, often manufactured in Mexico using Chinese precursors, has devastated communities across the U.S. Trump’s supporters see this as a no-nonsense approach to a crisis that many argue the Biden administration let spiral out of control.
Trump’s message is crystal clear: protecting American lives and sovereignty is non-negotiable. He’s doubling down on his 2024 campaign pledge to tackle the border crisis and fight the drug epidemic. “Millions of lives being so needlessly destroyed,” he said this week. “By the time the campaign is over, everyone will know how really bad the horror of this drug is.”
As Trump prepares to retake the reins in January, his plans to secure the border and protect American communities signal a return to his “America First” agenda. If his efforts pay off, it could solidify his legacy as the president who finally got serious about border security. For his supporters, it’s about time. For his critics, well, they’d better brace themselves—Trump is just getting started.
