Trump meets Mexican President Sheinbaum in person for the first time at World Cup draw

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump met face-to-face for the first time with Mexicos President Claudia Sheinbaum, with the main focus on next years World Cup and discussions about trade tariffs, while immigration was notably absent from the agenda.

Despite immigration being a central issue for Trump and a key factor in U.S.-Mexico relations, the meeting concentrated on cooperative efforts surrounding the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S., Mexico, and Canada are co-hosting starting next June.

The in-person meeting comes after a long delay. Trump had been in office for over 10 months without a face-to-face meeting with Sheinbaum, which is unusual given the importance U.S. presidents typically place on engaging with their southern neighbor. A planned encounter in June at the G7 summit in Canada was canceled due to Trump returning to Washington amid tensions in the Middle East.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the 2026 World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington. Sheinbaum had indicated prior to leaving Mexico that she expected a brief discussion with Trump, including addressing remaining U.S. tariffs on Mexican automobiles, steel, and aluminum.

Trump confirmed his intention to meet Sheinbaum upon arriving at the draw. Mexico remains the United States largest trading partner. While the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) remains in place, the U.S. Trade Representative has started reviewing the deal ahead of a joint evaluation set for July.

Changes in the flow of migrants across the U.S.-Mexico border and adjustments in U.S. tariff threats have reshaped bilateral priorities. Although Trump and Sheinbaum have frequently spoken by phone about trade and combating fentanyl trafficking, the delayed in-person meeting stood out because other global leaders, including Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, have already met Trump this term.

Sheinbaum has managed relations with Trump effectively, balancing respect with occasional humor and measured pushback. She also diffused a diplomatic point of contention when Trump suggested renaming the Gulf of Mexico, jokingly proposing Mexican America in response.

Mexican officials continue to work to prevent new tariffs in 2026, protect citizens in the U.S., and mitigate impacts from mass deportation and remittance taxes introduced under Trumps administration.

While immigration is less central due to fewer illegal crossings, Sheinbaum has shifted conversations toward the repatriation and reintegration of citizens. On security, her administration has strengthened efforts against drug cartels, extraditing cartel figures to the U.S. and empowering Mexicos security chief to combat fentanyl production.

Not all interactions have been smooth. Trump criticized Sheinbaum for rejecting U.S. troop involvement in Mexico, while she opposed U.S. strikes on suspected drug shipments. Sheinbaum, however, has avoided escalating tensions, maintaining a careful diplomatic approach.

Author: Gavin Porter