Mexican plan responds to US tomato tariffs without confrontation, says Sheinbaum

In a tense economic climate due to the recent imposition of a 17.09% tariff on Mexican tomatoes by the United States government, President Claudia Sheinbaum has opted for a strategy based on cooperation, strengthening the domestic market, and diplomatic dialogue.

During her Monday morning press conference, Sheinbaum asserted that Mexico's response will not be a trade war, but rather an opportunity to reorganize the priorities of the Mexican agricultural sector and protect small producers from the impact of this measure.

"We don't want to enter into any confrontation with the U.S. government; it's not in anyone's interest," the president stated emphatically.

The U.S. measure, which directly affects one of Mexico's most exported agricultural products, has put thousands of farmers on alert, especially in states such as Sinaloa, Baja California, and San Luis Potosí.

However, Sheinbaum was clear: economic integration with the United States will continue to be a priority, although now with a more balanced approach that doesn't rely exclusively on exports.

Claudia Sheinbaum explained that the actions to be taken this week are based on Plan Mexico, an ambitious national strategy presented in January, with 13 key objectives and a projected investment of $277 billion.

Among its main goals:

• Create 1.5 million jobs
• Increase national production
• Strengthen domestic consumption
• Replace imports with products made in Mexico
• Reduce dependence on external markets

Agriculture Secretary Julio Berdegué will be responsible for presenting specific measures to mitigate the impact on the tomato and livestock sectors, which have also been particularly affected by the temporary ban on livestock imports due to the screwworm outbreak.

Instead of a hostile response, the federal government seeks to consolidate its strategy with a logic of economic sovereignty: produce more in Mexico, consume more in Mexico, and open national markets for affected producers.

Sheinbaum insisted that alternatives must be generated such as:

• Processing plants for products such as tomatoes
• Incentives for local marketing
• Direct support to micro-producers and rural cooperatives
• Productive reconversion in vulnerable agricultural areas

Sheinbaum's vision reflects a break with the reactive models of the past. Her approach seeks synergies with the United States without ceding economic sovereignty, promoting a new paradigm where Mexico assumes a more proactive and resilient role in international trade.

"The goal is for every Mexican man and woman to know that there is a plan, that there is development," Sheinbaum said at the official presentation of Plan Mexico at the National Museum of Anthropology.

The comprehensive strategy will be presented this week. In the meantime, the message is clear: Mexico will not be paralyzed by trade pressures, but will redouble its efforts to protect its people and strengthen its economy.

Through Plan Mexico, Sheinbaum seeks to turn adversity into opportunity, demonstrating that, in times of global uncertainty, long-term planning and internal unity are the best shield.