Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum told supporters on Wednesday that dialogue and respect had prevailed in negotiations to postpone US tariffs and that Mexico's sovereignty would always come first, Reuters reported.
In front of thousands of people gathered for a rally in Constitution Square, the main square in the capital, Mexico City, Sheinbaum said the event was aimed at fostering a sense of national pride and highlighted the economic contribution of Mexico and its people to the US economy.
"We cannot give up our sovereignty, nor can our people depend on the decisions of foreign governments and hegemons. "If it comes to that point, we will always take immediate action," Sheinbaum said.
"Our countries' shared history has been marked by many moments of hostility, but also by many moments of cooperation and understanding," she added.
On March 4, US President Donald Trump, who said Mexico and Canada had not done enough to stop the flow of deadly fentanyl and the chemical precursors to produce it into the United States, imposed a 25% tariff on imports from both countries.
Sheinbaum took a cool approach and said he would wait until yesterday's rally to announce countermeasures against the United States, including retaliatory tariffs.
Last week, however, Trump said that "out of respect" to Sheinbaum is postponing the introduction of tariffs on Mexico and until April 2, the country will not be required to pay tariffs on all goods that fall under the scope of the trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada.
"So far, our dialogue has yielded results and I think it will continue to yield results," Sheinbaum said.