Recent Call on January 29: Trade Ahead of T-MEC Review
The direct communication between Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and U.S. President Donald Trump has become a constant channel to manage the most sensitive aspects of their bilateral relationship. Since November 2024 to January 2026, both leaders have engaged in over a dozen phone calls, consistently addressing migration, commerce, and security.
The most recent call took place on January 29, 2026, at a critical time as the T-MEC review looms before its sixth anniversary on July 1.
Sheinbaum described the dialogue as “productive and cordial,” while Trump praised her on Truth Social, calling the conversation “extremely good” and lauding Sheinbaum as a “wonderful and very intelligent leader.”
This call came a day after Mexico’s Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, met in Washington with the U.S. trade representative to initiate formal conversations about potential adjustments to the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement).
During her morning press conference, Sheinbaum stated that “nothing concrete has been decided yet,” but progress is being made. She acknowledged Washington’s insistence on addressing “non-tariff barriers,” while Trump reiterated his pursuit of changes to the agreement, citing “deficiencies.”
Security: Cooperation with Limits of Sovereignty
Although no specific agreements were detailed, Sheinbaum affirmed that both leaders agreed they are “doing very well” regarding security. This topic has been one of the most delicate in previous calls.
For instance, on January 12, 2026, Sheinbaum explicitly rejected the possibility of U.S. troops on Mexican soil, emphasizing that cooperation must respect “sovereignty.”
Trump frequently uses the fight against drug trafficking as a political argument, while Sheinbaum advocates for bilateral collaboration without direct foreign intervention.
Cuba and Other Topics Not Discussed in the Call
Sheinbaum clarified that the January 29 conversation did not address Cuba, despite U.S. pressure over Mexico’s oil shipments to the island. She stated that this matter is being handled diplomatically, and Mexico maintains its stance of humanitarian aid.
Call History: A Constant Channel Since 2024
The phone relationship began following the U.S. election. On November 7, 2024, they spoke for the first time after Trump’s victory. Since then, contacts have intensified during trade tensions, tariff threats, and border security debates.
In 2025, notable calls focused on tariff negotiations for the automotive and steel sectors, as well as security and migration cooperation deployment. In 2026, conversations have primarily revolved around the T-MEC and counter-narcotic coordination.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are Claudia Sheinbaum and Donald Trump? Claudia Sheinbaum is the President of Mexico, while Donald Trump is a former U.S. President.
- Why are these calls significant? These calls address critical issues in the U.S.-Mexico relationship, including migration, commerce, and security.
- What is the T-MEC? The T-MEC (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) is a trade agreement that protects Mexican exports to the U.S. from tariffs, provided they meet specific rules of origin.
- What are the main topics discussed in these calls? The primary topics are migration, commerce (specifically the T-MEC), and security with respect to drug trafficking.
- What is the significance of Cuba’s mention in these calls? Although there have been U.S. pressures regarding Mexican oil shipments to Cuba, the calls have not addressed this topic directly. Instead, Mexico has maintained its stance through diplomatic channels.
