The Necessary Step

The most important bilateral relationship that Mexico has is with the United States; what happens in that nation has an impact here, for good and for bad. For this reason, the invitation that was made to Donald Trump to visit the country was a necessary step in order to maintain bridges with one of the two people that may become the American president and who has equally conveyed a bad image of Mexico and Mexicans.

Although Donald Trump has toned down his rhetoric, the anti-Mexican expressions with which he started his campaign for the presidency made it urgent to establish a face-to-face talk with Mexico in light of Trump’s point of view. Yesterday’s rapprochement sought to demonstrate that one can state opinions in an uncivilized manner and still facilitate a dialogue with someone that has been considered an “enemy” of the country.

While the attitude that was shown by the Republican Trump was less strident than is characteristic of him – Trump even called President Enrique Peña Nieto a “friend” and expressed for the first time a way to work together with the country in the fight against drug trafficking so that both countries resolve the problem of illegal immigration – only hours later in Arizona, Trump resumed his emphasis on the construction of a wall and announced the immediate deportation of 2 million undocumented immigrants in an effort to win the presidency.

The real effect of this meeting on bilateral relations will not be seen today or in the upcoming days but only if Trump becomes victorious in the November election. Nonetheless, Mexico cannot wait for the results in order to start rebutting the thesis that the New York businessman promotes.

Given the ambiguity of his speech, the outcome is unknown. It is not enough to call the Mexican president “friend” in order to assume that Trump is taking a different position.

The visit caused discomfort among members of the Democratic side, i.e., Hilary Clinton and most likely Barrack Obama, who now face the delicate task of finely weaving diplomacy with Mexico in order to restore any damage that has been done by the meeting with Trump. The invitation was extended to both candidates, and if Trump used the visit to Mexico to elevate his favorability among voters, then a meeting with Hillary and Mexican authorities should have the same effect on her campaign.

Criticism from political, business, and civic groups surrounded the reception that was held at Los Pinos. It is certain that the attacks on the country cannot be overlooked just for an hour-long meeting. Nonetheless, what would have been worse would have been to do nothing against what is seen as a threat to the country.