Trump meets Mexican President Sheinbaum in person for the first time at World Cup draw

President Trump and Mexico’s Sheinbaum Finally Meet, Focusing on World Cup Over Immigration

President Donald Trump held his first face-to-face meeting with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday, more than 10 months after taking office. The long-delayed encounter, which took place at the Kennedy Center during the 2026 World Cup draw, prioritized discussions about the upcoming tournament and trade issues rather than immigration—a striking departure from what has historically dominated U.S.-Mexico relations.

The meeting’s timing is notable, as meeting with Mexico’s leader is typically a high priority for U.S. presidents. A previously scheduled encounter in June was canceled when Trump abruptly returned to Washington amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.

Trump and Sheinbaum, along with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, participated in the World Cup draw and later held private discussions. “We talked about the great opportunity that the 2026 FIFA World Cup represents for the three countries and about the good relationship we have,” Sheinbaum stated afterward on social media, adding that they “agreed to continue working together on trade issues with our teams.”

Trade relations remain a complex aspect of the bilateral relationship. Mexico stands as the United States’ largest trading partner, operating under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement that Trump negotiated during his first term to replace NAFTA. However, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has begun scrutinizing the agreement ahead of a joint review process scheduled for July.

The relationship dynamic has shifted notably in recent months, influenced by a steep decline in illegal border crossings and ongoing negotiations regarding Trump’s tariff threats. While Trump and Sheinbaum had spoken by phone multiple times before Friday’s meeting, this in-person encounter came notably later than Trump’s meetings with other world leaders, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping.

Despite the delayed meeting, Sheinbaum appears to have established an effective working relationship with Trump. She has navigated potential conflicts by showing Trump the respect he demands while occasionally employing humor and strategic pushback. When Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” Sheinbaum defused tensions by proposing North America be renamed “América Mexicana,” citing a historical 1814 document.

Her government has successfully negotiated pauses or exemptions on many threatened tariffs. The White House backed away from broad tariff threats against Mexican goods in recent months, though Mexico still faces significant import levies on its automotive sector (25%) and steel and aluminum industries (50%). These continuing tariffs pose a serious threat to Mexico’s low-growth economy, particularly its crucial automotive manufacturing sector.

The Trump administration’s expanded deportation operations present another challenge for Mexico. Trump has directed federal officials to prioritize deportations in Democratic-run cities—a move that reveals the political dimensions of the issue. While the administration claims to target “the worst of the worst” criminals, many of those detained lack violent criminal histories.

These deportations often impact Mexican citizens who have lived and worked in the United States for years, forcing them to return to a homeland they may barely know. The situation has contributed to declining remittances, which have fallen for seven consecutive months—a significant economic concern for Mexico.

Mexican officials note that immigration discussions have shifted toward encouraging countries to accept and reintegrate deported citizens to prevent them from attempting to migrate again—a key Trump administration priority globally.

On security matters, Sheinbaum has made efforts to address U.S. concerns about drug trafficking by giving security chief Omar García Harfuch increased authority. Mexico has also extradited numerous cartel figures to the United States, including Rafael Caro Quintero, long sought for the 1985 killing of a DEA agent. These actions, along with more visible efforts against fentanyl production, have earned positive attention from the Trump administration.

However, points of contention remain. Trump criticized Sheinbaum for rejecting his proposal to send U.S. troops to Mexico to combat the illegal drug trade. Last month, she firmly stated that U.S. military strikes in Mexico would not be permitted, and she has denounced U.S. operations against suspected drug boats in Caribbean and eastern Pacific waters.

“The president of Mexico is a lovely woman, but she is so afraid of the cartels that she can’t even think straight,” Trump remarked earlier this year. Sheinbaum, maintaining a diplomatic approach, chose not to escalate tensions by avoiding direct responses to such criticisms.

As the relationship evolves, both leaders face the challenge of balancing domestic priorities with the need for cooperation on issues ranging from trade and security to migration and the upcoming World Cup.