Tijuana / Mexicali / Washington D.C. — Just when you thought things couldn’t get spicier, here comes the tariff talk again.
President Trump recently sent Mexico a not-so-sweet love letter. In it, he scolds President Claudia Sheinbaum for “not doing enough” to stop drug cartels at the border. His solution? Slap a 30% tariff on all Mexican exports to the U.S., on top of existing ones. Because what’s a little inflation between neighbors?
The new tariffs are set to hit on Friday, unless both sides can reach a deal.
Sheinbaum says she’s optimistic. Talks are still going, and she hopes to score a fair agreement—just like the ones the U.S. already got with Japan and the EU. She also met with both Republican and Democrat lawmakers and the U.S. ambassador, Ronald Johnson, to explain Mexico’s current security strategy. And to be clear: she says there’s no secret list of corrupt Mexican politicians, no matter what social media says.
Meanwhile, in Baja…
After a week of bouncing around mainland Mexico, we gotta say—Baja’s looking pretty good. Sure, we’ve got problems (hello potholes), but security efforts are visibly stronger here than in many other regions.
Federal troops, local law enforcement, and even the National Guard have stepped up big time. In the past few months, they’ve busted major drug shipments, arrested cartel players, and seized enough fentanyl to knock out a small country.
In Ensenada, authorities found 200 kilos of cocaine tucked into a shipping container. In Tijuana, they seized 2.4 kilos of heroin. And in Baja Sur? Try 800 kilos of meth. If that’s not effort, we don’t know what is.
Even more impressive? This isn’t just about busts and headlines. Officials are holding community forums, investing in youth programs, and working with schools to cut off crime before it starts. It’s a security strategy with heart and handcuffs.
So Why the Tariffs?
The U.S. claims it’s about stopping the flow of drugs. But some folks are whispering that this feels more like an economic arm-twist to renegotiate trade deals. Mexico’s sticking to its message: we’re cooperating, but we’re not rolling over.
And hey, if Trump wants to hit Mexican products with a 30% fee, maybe Americans will have to start paying full price for their tacos, avocados, and cerveza. (We warned you: don’t mess with Baja’s exports.)
Bottom Line
Mexico’s pushing for peace. Trump’s pushing for pressure. But here in Baja, we’re just pushing forward—with results to prove it.
So yeah, Mr. President—we see your letter. We raise you 52 tons of seized drugs, hundreds of arrests, and a community that’s not backing down.
Tariffs or no tariffs, Baja’s doing the work.
