The Daily Signal Victor Davis Hanson | A Message to Mexico’s President: Fix Your Country Before Criticizing Ours
Jul 30, 2025
Victor Davis Hanson tackles the complicated relationship between the U.S. and Mexico, criticizing Mexico's trade practices and reliance on remittances. He urges Mexico's president to prioritize fixing domestic issues, like cartel violence and social support, rather than blaming the U.S. for immigration problems. Hanson makes a strong case that Mexico should create conditions that prevent its citizens from fleeing, and he questions the morality of profiting from these challenges while relying on American taxpayers.
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Advice to Mexico's President
- Mexico should treat its nationals in the U.S. as citizens key to their economy and keep them in Mexico with social services.
- Mexico must combat fentanyl importation and cartels, and work to balance the $171 billion trade surplus with the U.S.
Mexican-American Relationship Imbalance
- Only 31% of Americans view Mexico favorably versus 61% of Mexicans who view the U.S. favorably.
- This asymmetry is linked to issues like China's trade role, cartel drug trafficking, and U.S. taxpayer subsidies for illegal immigrants.
Mexico's Trade Surplus Causes
- Mexico runs a large trade surplus with the U.S. by using China to avoid tariffs through assembly in Mexico.
- This practice contradicts the spirit and law of NAFTA and burdens the U.S. economically.