Natalie Kitroweth

Well, I mean, it's unclear. Nobody knows exactly what Trump wants. And it's a mystery whether there are actual benchmarks here or not, or whether the goalposts are just going to keep moving and moving and moving. And there is some suggestion that they might reach a deal soon. But... The reality is that this pressure is horrific for Mexico. Mexico is incredibly dependent on the U.S.

Well, I mean, it's unclear. Nobody knows exactly what Trump wants. And it's a mystery whether there are actual benchmarks here or not, or whether the goalposts are just going to keep moving and moving and moving. And there is some suggestion that they might reach a deal soon. But... The reality is that this pressure is horrific for Mexico. Mexico is incredibly dependent on the U.S.

economy, on being able to access U.S. markets. This could potentially push the country into a recession. And so Claudia Shainbaum and her government are going to do absolutely everything they can to get out from under this. And if that means... More security gains.

economy, on being able to access U.S. markets. This could potentially push the country into a recession. And so Claudia Shainbaum and her government are going to do absolutely everything they can to get out from under this. And if that means... More security gains.

I think they're looking at how they can possibly do more because they feel like they have their foot completely on the gas at this point. And they still got hit with the tariffs.

I think they're looking at how they can possibly do more because they feel like they have their foot completely on the gas at this point. And they still got hit with the tariffs.

Yeah, I mean, it remains to be seen. I mean, I told you that I was skeptical at the outset that this would have made a real difference. And I was proven wrong by the reporting. It very much has made a difference. But we have no idea, actually, what the Mexican government may be able to accomplish as it tries to stave off these tariffs, get out from under them. Keep in mind.

Yeah, I mean, it remains to be seen. I mean, I told you that I was skeptical at the outset that this would have made a real difference. And I was proven wrong by the reporting. It very much has made a difference. But we have no idea, actually, what the Mexican government may be able to accomplish as it tries to stave off these tariffs, get out from under them. Keep in mind.

The Mexican government has been busting labs across the country, but the most intense crackdown has been mainly concentrated in this one state, Sinaloa. It's a really important state, it's a major hub of fentanyl production, but it's just one state.

The Mexican government has been busting labs across the country, but the most intense crackdown has been mainly concentrated in this one state, Sinaloa. It's a really important state, it's a major hub of fentanyl production, but it's just one state.

This drug is made all over the country, and if you imagine this crackdown spreading, it requires a lot of resource, it requires a lot of troops, it requires a lot of intelligence, and it requires a lot of willingness sustained over a really long period of time to make a difference. There is also huge demand for this drug in the United States that really hasn't been addressed.

This drug is made all over the country, and if you imagine this crackdown spreading, it requires a lot of resource, it requires a lot of troops, it requires a lot of intelligence, and it requires a lot of willingness sustained over a really long period of time to make a difference. There is also huge demand for this drug in the United States that really hasn't been addressed.

And so it is hard to imagine that even this push, even a sustained push, could entirely stamp out the production of this drug without a lot of other elements coming into play. And I think we're all watching to see what those elements are. Will Trump decide to address demand in the United States, the addiction that has driven so many people to this lethal substance?

And so it is hard to imagine that even this push, even a sustained push, could entirely stamp out the production of this drug without a lot of other elements coming into play. And I think we're all watching to see what those elements are. Will Trump decide to address demand in the United States, the addiction that has driven so many people to this lethal substance?

Will Shainbaum continue the pressure? And for how long can Trump really keep Mexico in this position of trying to satisfy his demands? Because if they reach a deal on tariffs, then what?

Will Shainbaum continue the pressure? And for how long can Trump really keep Mexico in this position of trying to satisfy his demands? Because if they reach a deal on tariffs, then what?

Right. And are we looking at a period of potentially several years of these threats and uncertainty and upheaval, or is this all just going to go away tomorrow if they reach a deal?

Right. And are we looking at a period of potentially several years of these threats and uncertainty and upheaval, or is this all just going to go away tomorrow if they reach a deal?

I think what we've seen is that at least in this context, in this month and in this place, the tariffs worked, for now at least.

I think what we've seen is that at least in this context, in this month and in this place, the tariffs worked, for now at least.