Mexico election: Claudia Sheinbaum set to become country’s first woman president | World News – Hindustan Times
When Mexicans elected Claudia Sheinbaum as their new president, they also chose the next key negotiator with the United States. Sheinbaum secured more than 58% of the vote, giving her a strong mandate to govern the second-largest economy in Latin America, which is also the United States’ largest trading partner.
On October 1, Sheinbaum will replace President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, inheriting a nation grappling with slow economic growth and organized crime-related violence. Additionally, she will have to address the complex and often strained relationship with the United States. Despite the extensive economic ties, the U.S.-Mexico relationship faces significant challenges, particularly in areas like global migration and drug trafficking.
“The two countries have been suffering from an incredible fumbling of the ball in dealing with each other,” said Tony Payan, director of the Center for the U.S. and Mexico at Rice University’s Baker Institute. “I think the two countries need to come back to the table.”
The Multifaceted U.S.-Mexico Relationship
While Americans enjoy cultural staples like “taco Tuesday” and vacations in Cancun, the deeper complexities of the U.S.-Mexico relationship are often overshadowed by marketing and political narratives. Mexico’s influence on the U.S. economy is profound and widespread.
Mexico-made car parts sustain U.S. autoworkers in Detroit, windmill blades support U.S. clean energy initiatives, pacemakers save American lives, and avocados keep restaurant menus vibrant. U.S. exports to Mexico include Midwest-grown grains and Texas-pumped natural gas, while Mexico sends fruits and vegetables north, helping to stabilize U.S. grocery costs amid volatile inflation.
Last year, Mexico became the United States’ largest trading partner, surpassing China. The two countries now engage in nearly $800 billion in trade annually, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Despite the robust trade, the relationship is fraught with issues. Mexico serves as a transit country for hundreds of thousands of U.S.-bound migrants, leading to repeated humanitarian crises at the border. Additionally, Mexico is the source of fentanyl, a drug responsible for tens of thousands of American deaths annually.
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), negotiated during the Trump administration, is due for renegotiation in 2026. U.S. business leaders worry that reopening the deal could create uncertainty and harm both economies.
“Mexico is now the U.S.’s main trading partner,” said Jennifer Apperti, director of the Texas-Mexico Center at Southern Methodist University. “To again reopen the door to things that have just been negotiated would be, honestly, not the best use of time. And business time is of the essence.”
Domingo Garcia, president of the U.S.-based League of United Latin American Citizens, expressed optimism about working with Sheinbaum. He noted her openness and willingness to engage in discussions on mutual interests, emphasizing the importance of considering environmental and scientific initiatives for future generations.
Sunday’s election saw an estimated 60% voter turnout, one of the largest in Mexico’s history. Nearly 100 million people were eligible to vote. For the first time, Mexican citizens living in the United States could vote in person at 20 consulates, including in Phoenix.
Contributing to this report: Rafael Carranza, Arizona Republic.
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