Mexico has warned of the risk of a US economic collapse due to President-elect Donald Trump's proposal to impose high tariffs on its imports.
If enacted, Mexico has warned, the tariffs could hurt the US economy, causing the loss of about 400,000 American jobs.
Trump has proposed a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada and an additional 10% tariff on imports from China, part of his plan to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
However, Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard has stressed the impact on US industry, especially the auto industry where many American vehicles, such as pickup trucks, are made in Mexico.
The tariffs could make cars about $3,000 more expensive, directly affecting US consumers.
Ebrard described the move as "self-defeating" because it would hurt the US economy more than it would hurt Mexico.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also criticized the plan, calling it unacceptable.
He stressed that Mexican drug cartels exist largely because of U.S. drug demand and offered to meet with Trump to discuss a solution.
China, also warning Mexico, insisted that no one benefits from the conflict.
Past trade tensions with Beijing have hit U.S. farmers hard due to retaliatory tariffs imposed by China.
The U.S., Mexico and Canada share a long-standing trade agreement, the USMCA, which Trump himself renegotiated.
Many fear the new tariffs could undermine decades of economic cooperation.
