Trump’s First 100 Days: Tariffs, Threats, Executive Orders

Donald Trump’s return to the White House has been marked by aggressive policy moves that have impacted Mexico. Within his first 100 days back in office, Trump issued a series of executive orders aimed at fulfilling campaign promises. Among them: classifying drug cartels as terrorist organizations, reinforcing security along the southern border, and launching a large-scale deportation strategy.

Drug Cartels Labeled as Terrorists

On Feb. 19, the Trump administration officially designated several Mexican drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), including the Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the Gulf Cartel, the Northeast Cartel, Los Cárteles Unidos, and La Nueva Familia Michoacana. According to the US government’s official statement, these designations isolate the groups financially by blocking their access to the US financial system and freezing their assets under American jurisdiction. US citizens are also prohibited from engaging in any transactions with them.

President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged the US government’s right to act within its territory but firmly rejected any suggestion of intervention in Mexico.

Mass Deportation Measures

Citing a so-called invasion of undocumented immigrants, Trump announced a plan for mass deportations. While raids have already begun, deportations are progressing at a moderate pace. Since January, 33,311 Mexicans and 5,446 nationals from other countries have been returned to Mexico. Policy changes, including the cancellation of asylum eligibility and the reinstatement of the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), have already contributed to a sharp decline in migration flows.

Pressure on Mexico Over Fentanyl

Combating fentanyl trafficking remains one of the Trump administration’s top demands. He announced new tariffs on Mexico to pressure the country into taking stronger action against the opioid crisis, which claims over 70,000 lives annually in the United States.

The White House accused Mexican drug organizations of maintaining “an intolerable alliance with the Mexican government,” alleging that cartel activity has been allowed to flourish under state protection. It also warned that such ties pose a national security threat and must be dismantled. In response, President Sheinbaum launched Operation Border, deploying 10,000 military personnel across six border states. In less than three months, the operation has led to the seizure of more than 100kg of fentanyl.

Gulf of America Controversy

One of Trump’s early moves was renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.” The change was reflected on platforms like Google, where both names now appear depending on the user’s location. President Sheinbaum responded forcefully, stating on Feb. 13 that her administration would file a civil lawsuit against Google. “This is not correct. In the United States, it appears as Gulf of America, while in Mexico and other countries it is still Gulf of Mexico. We have exchanged letters, and if necessary, we will pursue legal action,” she said.

Tariff Tensions

Tariffs continue to be a major source of friction in US-Mexico relations. On Feb. 1, the Trump administration announced a 25% tariff on certain Mexican and Canadian imports. However, following a call with President Sheinbaum, the decision was postponed for 30 days and later suspended. Despite this, tariffs on automobiles, aluminum, and steel remain in place. Sheinbaum has emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue to reach fair and preferential trade agreements.

Water Dispute Resurfaces

The 1944 US-Mexico Water Treaty became a point of contention again after Trump threatened tariffs if Mexico failed to fulfill its water delivery obligations. “My Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, is defending Texas farmers. We will increase pressure, tariffs and possibly sanctions, until Mexico complies,” Trump warned. After weeks of negotiation, both countries reached an agreement on April 28 to resume water deliveries as required by the treaty.