Sheinbaum called Trump's temporary tariff relief for factories a 'breakthrough'

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum celebrated Donald Trump's decision to relax trade tensions and give a small temporary relief on the tariffs that factories have to face, calling it a "breakthrough."

"Obviously, we do not agree with the tariff policy that President Trump has imposed, particularly toward Mexico," Sheinbaum said Wednesday during her routine daily appearance. "Thanks to the dialogue we have been having, progress has been made, it is not as far as we would like to go, but the important thing is that the dialogue continues and each time there are steps in the direction that favor us. Within the framework of respect for our country, and the defense of Mexicans, we have reached agreements."

"In addition to the fact that the part of manufacturing in the United States will be discounted, as was proposed, the part of manufacturing [automobiles] in Mexico will also be discounted. So, this is very good because it continues to give comparative advantages to vehicles and auto parts made in Mexico," the president added.

This Tuesday, Trump announced deductions of 15% and 10% for the first two years to companies that must import parts in order to help them transition to moving the entire production chain to the U.S. and limit the impact of "overlapping" tariffs affecting this sector.

Since April 3, vehicles imported into the U.S. have been taxed at 25%, with one exception: parts from Canada and Mexico are exempt if they fall under the North American Free Trade Agreement (T-MEC).

The decision was applauded by the factories, specifically by the U.S. Automotive Policy Council, which represents General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, which had shown "significant concern" over the overlapping tariffs.