Garbled comments uttered by Republican Party presidential candidate Donald Trump at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan raised the hackles of Mexico’s president-elect Claudia Sheinbaum and Marcelo Ebrard, the incoming administration’s economy minister.
Former President Trump was boasting about the successful negotiation he had in 2019 with Ebrard, then Mexico’s foreign minister, when he threatened to impose tariffs on Mexican imports unless Mexico took steps to stop migrants arriving at its southern border.
“We told (Ebrard), you have to give us 28,000 soldiers to protect us while we build the wall,” Trump said, adding that Ebrard returned with an affirmative answer after a five-minute consultation with President Lopez Obrador. “They gave us everything. I got everything from Mexico.”
Trump suddenly changed tack and started talking about Joe Biden, but without mentioning the U.S. president by name, calling him “weak … sick … stupid … a person with a low IQ … 50 or 60.”
Logically believing that Trump was still talking about him, Ebrard took offense, later responding on social networks: “When they insult you in the campaign, as former President Trump just did, there is always an electoral purpose: to gain followers. I will never accept qualifications from a candidate abroad. It does not intimidate me. I will defend the interests of Mexico with all dignity and firmness.”
Sheinbaum also responded: “I regret the foul language of former President Trump and I certainly disagree with his opinion about Marcelo Ebrard. He is one of the best public servants in Mexico and will be a great Economy Minister for our country.”
Both Sheinbaum and Ebrard have said they will work with whoever the United States chooses as their president in November, and have repeatedly emphasized the strength and depth of the bilateral relationship at many levels.