Mexican President Highlights Canada’s ‘Very Serious’ Fentanyl Crisis
Canada-Mexico Relations Strained Over Border and Trade Issues
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is taking a diplomatic approach following comments from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticizing Canada’s culture and its stance on border issues. Speaking Monday during a teleconference from Brussels, Joly emphasized the value of private dialogue in diplomacy.
“I fundamentally believe that many conversations, when it comes to diplomacy, are always better when they remain private,” Joly said.
The tension between the two North American trade partners stems from U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to impose 25% tariffs on goods from both countries unless they curb the flow of migrants and illegal drugs into the U.S. Several Canadian officials have responded, pointing out that issues at Canada’s border are distinct from those at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has expressed concerns over increasing Chinese investment in Mexico, which he argued undermines the economic-security objectives shared by Ottawa and Washington. Some Canadian premiers have even suggested renegotiating a trade deal with the U.S. independently of Mexico before the 2026 review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), which replaced NAFTA.
In a press conference Monday, Sheinbaum pushed back, asserting that Mexico “must be respected, especially by its trading partners.” She also highlighted Canada’s growing fentanyl crisis, linking it to drug decriminalization measures. “We are not going to fall for a provocation of which country is better,” Sheinbaum said, attributing some of Canada’s criticism to political posturing. She added, “Mexico should not be used as part of Canadian electoral campaigns.”
Sheinbaum also extolled Mexico’s cultural heritage, stating, “Canada could only wish they had the cultural riches Mexico has,” referencing her country’s ancient civilizations.
When asked to respond, Joly maintained a focus on cooperation. “We have a positive relationship with Mexico, and we need to work with the country; that’s definitely my goal,” she said, noting ongoing discussions with U.S. officials about the trilateral trade agreement.
Christopher Sands, director of the Canada Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, suggested these tensions reflect long-standing weaknesses in Canada-Mexico relations. During the CUSMA negotiations, he said, communication between Ottawa and Mexico City was limited.
“The Canada-Mexico relationship has always been the weakest part of the triangle of North America,” Sands said. “There was a lot of feeling during the negotiations that Mexico was willing to go it alone, and that Canada had to fight its way back to the table.”
Sands added that nationalist policies under Sheinbaum and her predecessor have strained Mexico’s alignment with North America’s goals, including energy sector nationalization and inconsistent cooperation with the U.S. on border security.
While Sheinbaum reportedly intends to write to Trudeau, the contents of the letter remain undisclosed. However, she did release a recent letter sent to Trump, signaling Mexico’s stance amid growing regional tensions.
