On the morning of August 28, 2025, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum stood before reporters at her regular press conference, ready to tackle a range of pressing issues—from the country’s export growth and digital payment systems to the complicated dynamics of U.S.-Mexico migration and deportation. The session, held at the National Palace, offered a revealing look at the economic and social crosscurrents shaping Mexico as it approaches a pivotal period in its relationship with the United States.
Sheinbaum began by addressing the nation’s export performance, referencing fresh data from INEGI, Mexico’s national statistics agency. According to INEGI, the value of Mexico’s exports increased by 4% year-on-year in July, despite a notable dip in automotive exports. Even more impressively, exports over the first seven months of 2025 rose by 4.3% compared to the previous year, reaching a hefty $369.43 billion. This growth, Sheinbaum emphasized, was no accident. "The majority of goods made in Mexico are not subject to tariffs when entering the United States," she explained, a benefit stemming from compliance with the rules of the USMCA free trade pact. "That is something very important, very important," Sheinbaum reiterated, underscoring the central role of this trilateral agreement in Mexico’s economic fortunes.
Yet, not all is smooth sailing. Sheinbaum acknowledged that a 25% tariff applies to goods that do not meet USMCA requirements when shipped to the U.S., and that Mexican steel, aluminum, and cars face separate duties. However, she pointed out a silver lining: in the case of cars, any U.S. content included in Mexican-manufactured vehicles is exempt from the 25% tariff. This, she suggested, gives Mexico a competitive edge over other U.S. trade partners, at least for now. Still, the government is actively seeking a reprieve from certain U.S. tariffs, hoping to cement its advantageous position.
Looking ahead, Sheinbaum left no doubt about her administration’s priorities. With the USMCA up for review in 2026, she voiced a clear desire to see the pact preserved and strengthened. "Just as we want to produce more in Mexico for internal consumption, we also want to maintain the trade agreement, which allows the economies of the three countries [Mexico, the U.S. and Canada] to be strengthened," she said. Her comments reflect a pragmatic approach to trade—one that balances domestic economic development with the realities of regional integration.
Shifting gears, the president addressed the topic of digital payments and financial inclusion—a subject that’s become increasingly relevant as countries around the world race to modernize their economies. Sheinbaum drew comparisons to Brazil and India, both of which have implemented highly accessible electronic payment systems. In Mexico, she noted, the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) launched the CoDi mobile payment platform back in 2019. The system, designed to let consumers make purchases and transfer money via their phones, was intended to boost financial inclusion and streamline commerce.
But CoDi hasn’t quite lived up to its promise. "It is not used," Sheinbaum admitted, laying partial blame at the feet of the country’s banks. According to her, banks "don’t want to promote" CoDi because, unlike credit cards, the system doesn’t generate commissions. This, she implied, has led to a lack of enthusiasm from the financial sector, stifling the platform’s growth. The president promised a renewed government push to advance the "process of digitalization" and enhance financial inclusion, stating, "We’re going to promote it from the government of Mexico." The challenge, as Sheinbaum sees it, is to create an environment where digital payments are not just available but actually embraced by the public.
Beyond economics, Sheinbaum’s press conference delved into the thorny issue of migration and deportations—a topic that has long defined the U.S.-Mexico relationship. Responding to a reporter’s question about the number of Mexican nationals in U.S. detention centers, Sheinbaum presented a graph tracing the history of deportations under different U.S. presidents. "The largest period of deportations from the United States to Mexico was with Bill Clinton, from 1993 to 2001," she said, highlighting that in the year 2000 alone, a staggering 1,150,906 Mexicans were deported. She went on to note that President Barack Obama deported 601,356 Mexicans in his first year, while during President Trump’s second term, Mexico saw only 86,017 deportations.
Why the dramatic shift? Sheinbaum credited a "very important reduction in persons from Mexico and other nationalities after President Trump’s decision to close ... to close the asylums." The implication was clear: U.S. policy changes, particularly regarding asylum access, have had a direct impact on migration flows. Her remarks also signaled a notable shift in rhetoric. Whereas Sheinbaum had previously been a vocal critic of U.S. immigration policy—condemning immigration raids and expressing solidarity with migrants working honestly in the U.S.—her tone now seemed more measured, perhaps reflecting the complex realities facing both countries.
Earlier in June, Sheinbaum had stated, "We did not agree with the use of raids to detain people who work honestly in the United States." That criticism sparked a sharp response from U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who blamed Sheinbaum’s comments for fueling violent protests in California targeting ICE agents, according to Breitbart Texas. The episode underscored just how sensitive—and politically charged—the migration debate remains on both sides of the border.
As the press conference drew to a close, Sheinbaum looked ahead to a pair of significant events. She announced she would deliver her first government report—her "informe de gobierno"—in a major speech at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 1, at the National Palace. The event, she said, would be attended by members of her cabinet, guests from across Mexican society, and the media. Notably, she quipped to reporters that she would not hold her regular morning press conference that day, joking, "You can arrive later." That evening, she planned to attend the swearing-in ceremony for the new Supreme Court justices, including incoming chief justice Hugo Aguilar Ortiz and eight others—a ceremony taking place three months after Mexico’s historic first judicial elections.
It’s clear that President Sheinbaum’s administration is navigating a period of both opportunity and uncertainty. With export revenues rising, digital payment reforms on the horizon, and the ever-present challenge of migration shaping relations with the U.S., the months ahead will test her government’s ability to deliver on its promises while maintaining stability at home and abroad.
