President Donald Trump finally met with his Mexican counterpart, Claudia Sheinbaum. The meeting focused on the 2026 World Cup, leaving migration as a secondary topic

US President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum finally held their first in-person meeting, an encounter that had been repeatedly postponed and whose timing generated considerable anticipation in both diplomatic circles and among the economic sectors of both countries.

The summit, held amid high media coverage, took place almost eleven months after Trump took office, an unusually long period for a US president who traditionally prioritizes dialogue with the southern neighbor due to the level of commercial, geographic, and security integration shared by both nations.

Despite this, the tone of the meeting was described by their teams as pragmatic and results-oriented. One of the unexpected highlights of the agenda was binational coordination for next year's World Cup, an event whose logistical complexity—transportation, infrastructure, mobility, security, and tourist flows—demands close cooperation. They discussed joint protocols, potential rapid transit zones, security schemes at stadiums and border crossings, as well as mechanisms to facilitate the entry of fans during the tournament.

In parallel, both leaders reviewed strategic economic issues, particularly those related to tariffs, manufacturing trade, and supply chains. Sources from both delegations indicated that the conversation included the impact of current trade regulations, the pressures facing critical industries—such as automotive and electronics—and the need to provide predictability for cross-border investments.

However, the most striking aspect of the meeting was what wasn't discussed as a central topic: migration. While the White House reiterated that strengthening border security remains an "unwavering pillar" of the Trump administration, this issue was relegated to brief exchanges instead of dominating the agenda, as many had anticipated. The decision surprised analysts who consider migration policy one of the main drivers of the bilateral relationship since the beginning of Trump's presidency.

For Sheinbaum, the meeting represented an opportunity to redirect bilateral dialogue after months in which the relationship was marked by tense statements and the expectation of unilateral announcements on trade and security. The Mexican president sought to project an open stance, emphasizing economic interdependence and the need to maintain permanent channels of cooperation.

The meeting also served as a political message to the business and diplomatic sectors in both countries, which have insisted that a stable relationship between Washington and Mexico City is essential, especially given the high-profile global event that will be hosting a major sporting tournament this year.

Although questions remain about the direction the bilateral relationship will take in areas such as migration, security, and trade, this first meeting marks a turning point: it is hoped, at least from Mexico's perspective, that it will break the initial distance and establish a framework for deeper discussions in the coming months../www.tictacnews.us/E. ESGLOTAC