Mexico and the US Elections

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador complains about U.S. meddling, and Republican lawmakers deplore and criticize meddling by Mexico.

The relationship between Mexico and the U.S. isn’t looking good.

And you can blame whomever you want. There doesn’t seem to be any desire for communication or conversation. At least for now.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador complains about U.S. meddling, and Republican lawmakers deplore and criticize meddling by Mexico.

For decades, part of the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico was founded on personal connections and the ability to speak frankly in short and maintain the façade of a friendly public environment at least, even in difficult times.

These were the days of agreeing to disagree and isolating issues to prevent them from contaminating the rest of the relationship.

Today, some government circles in the U.S. capital claim that the Mexican government has few, if any, friends in the U.S. political structure.

To some extent, it is a question of trust, or so say U.S. sources. The collaboration between the two countries must be extensive, at all levels and in all areas, as neighborliness requires.

But today, some of this cooperation is limited.

This may seem unimportant given the extent of the economic relationship and U.S. interest in encouraging nearshoring, i.e., setting up manufacturing plants in Mexico.

But some believe it could be much broader and better than it currently is. This, they say, is a question of lost opportunities thanks to unpredictable decisions and confidence in the legal situation.

The point is that, despite efforts by officials from both governments to maintain open channels, one day’s approach may be challenged the next by a sudden signal or determination announced at the morning conference.

In fact, Washington’s attitude toward Mexico seems to be “go with the flow” as long as the Mexican government helps control migration and continues to receive deported non-Mexicans, at least until the end of the U.S. presidential campaign, i.e., until November next year.

After that …

There are concerns about the possible tone of the campaigns. In both countries, the coming year will be mainly occupied by election developments; in the U.S., the primaries will begin in January and finish in July for the Republicans and in August for the Democrats. The presidential campaign itself will occupy September and October.

In Mexico, the first half of the year will be one of campaigning, and elections are scheduled for June 2.

The fact is, the relationship between the two countries has never been easy, and that while it is a matter of two sides, sometimes it means the leader of one country is forced to provoke the other. It happened with the Mexican government in Donald Trump’s time and now, it is the U.S.’ turn.