The Republican National Convention proclaimed Donald Trump as its presidential candidate on Monday, with James David Vance as his running mate and the economy and immigration as their main campaign issues. Mexico was not mentioned. Why?
Border insecurity, migration, and drug trafficking are issues that many Americans, particularly Republicans, associate with Mexico. After all, these have been recurring themes for Trump since 2015.
For better or worse, Mexico’s presence is assured in the 2024 U.S. electoral campaign. In contrast to the Republicans’ harsh stance, the Democrats approach Mexico and its government more cautiously, which Republicans use to highlight their differing views.
Some analysts claim that Joe Biden's administration has been influenced by Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who allegedly uses the flow of undocumented migrants as leverage.
Many speakers at the Milwaukee convention addressed the issue of “open borders,” the economic problems caused by undocumented immigrants, or families destroyed by drugs, blaming President Biden’s perceived weakness for facilitating these issues. They claim that during Biden's term, 10 million undocumented individuals and asylum seekers have entered the country.
However, just a week ago, President Biden presented a different picture. In a press conference after a NATO meeting, he stated that "our efforts to secure the southern border are working." He highlighted a bipartisan effort to secure the border that Trump ended and mentioned that recent executive actions, in cooperation with Mexico, have reduced border encounters by over 50%, reaching levels lower than when Trump left office.
The narratives from Biden and the Republican Convention are starkly different. Additionally, an agreement was reached to prevent Chinese steel from entering the U.S. through Mexico, described by White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre as a measure to protect American workers and the steel industry.
Thus, the differing perspectives reflect ideological views and opposing electoral needs, placing Mexico and its government in the middle of this debate.
BY JOSÉ CARREÑO FIGUERAS
CONTRIBUTOR
jose.carreno@elheraldodemexico.com
@carrenojose1