The leaders of Mexico and Brazil have pledged to deepen economic ties and boost trade between Latin America’s two largest economies, in a move seen as a direct response to increasing global unpredictability, particularly from the United States. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made the announcement during a regional summit in Honduras, highlighting their shared commitment to closer cooperation in the face of mounting international challenges.
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Their bilateral meeting took place on the margins of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) summit, where 11 heads of state and 20 national representatives gathered to discuss regional unity. Mr Lula stated that both governments had agreed to establish regular meetings between their respective administrations and business communities, signalling a new phase in commercial collaboration. President Sheinbaum added that now, more than ever, Latin America and the Caribbean must prioritise unity and mutual support.
The summit followed President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend global tariffs for 90 days on all but a few countries—China in particular saw an increase to 125%—fueling further instability in global trade. Despite the temporary pause, frustration remains among many of America’s trading partners, who increasingly seek more dependable economic partnerships amid policy unpredictability. Many Latin American leaders have voiced concern over these abrupt measures and the lack of clear communication from the Trump administration.
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Further aggravating regional relations are reports that Washington is considering drone strikes against Mexican drug cartels—an idea firmly rebuffed by Ms Sheinbaum, who criticised the notion as an unacceptable infringement on national sovereignty. “We do not agree with any kind of intervention or interference,” she said, reiterating Mexico’s stance during a press briefing. US actions such as these, paired with aggressive deportation strategies, have prompted widespread criticism on legal and human rights grounds, as Latin American nations rally together to resist external pressure and chart their own cooperative path forward.
