Mexico Respects Air Agreement Under Trump, Snubs Biden

The unemployment era of the Biden administration was marked by Mexico’s continual disregard for an air transportation agreement. Throughout this period, the Mexican government brazenly flouted the agreed-upon terms. In a distinctive contrast, the Trump administration has forced a dramatic turnaround, making sure our southern neighbor shows due respect to bilateral commitments.

This stark change was triggered by retaliatory initiatives set forth by President Trump’s Department of Transportation (DOT), as a result of which, Mexico promptly fell back into line with the U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement. It is clear that Trump’s commanding leadership and assertive approach are delivering results where Biden failed.

This is but one instance demonstrating how the Trump administration coerces Mexico into actions compatible with U.S. objectives. The official memo lauds Trump for being able to rope in Mexico into upholding the U.S.-Mexico Air Transport agreement, something Biden utterly failed at doing.

As the memo highlighted, ‘The Trump administration’s hard line ensured the Mexican government took immediate measures to bolster the transparency of the Mexico City Airport slot structure and reinstate slots to U.S. carriers that were momentarily withdrawn in 2022.’ This was a feat inconceivable under a Biden administration focusing on lackluster talks and empty promises.

Mexico’s swift action to rectify its deviation testifies to the effectiveness of Trump’s unyielding stand. They are returning the slots surrendered to U.S. carriers in 2022, American carriers are being returned their competitive positions, lost under the watchful eyes of Biden.

Simultaneously, Mexican officials are adhering to universal scheduling guidelines and are now ‘open to addressing’ cargo operational grievances at their capital. These improvements are solely a result of Trump’s firm stance and a testament to his administration’s effectiveness, a stark contrast to Biden’s lackadaisically managed relationships.

This entire situation has its roots in the agreement put in place during the dying days of the Obama administration. Formalized in December 2015 and enforced from August 2016, the Air Transport Agreement was conceptualized to elevate trade and transit between the U.S. and Mexico.

The agreement envisaged several alterations, such as doing away with government route restrictions, allowing airlines of both countries to operate between any city in the U.S. and Mexico. However, the subsequent flouting of its terms by Mexico attests to the failed diplomatic efforts of the Biden administration.

Instead of enhancing competition and co-operation, Mexico managed to secure unfair advantages in the U.S.-Mexico market, none of which were curbed by the Biden administration during its tenure.

By 2022, Mexico had instituted measures such as revoking airline slots and forcing American all-cargo carriers to relocate operations. This was an unequivocal disrespect of the bilateral agreement, reeking of the negligence shown by Biden towards protecting American interests.

The scenario further worsened the following year when Mexican authorities imposed a decree requiring all dedicated cargo operations to shift from the Mexico City International Airport. This caused undue disruptions to U.S.-affiliated supply chains, yet another blunder left uncorrected during Biden’s term.

The disregard for American interests led to retaliatory measures against Mexico. Restrictions included demanding prior approval before running any large cargo or passenger aircraft charter flight from or to the U.S., among other initiatives. Such measures would have been unnecessary had the Biden administration not allowed the situation to go unchecked in the first place.

A public statement regarding the retaliation boldly declared, ‘Joe Biden intentionally allowed Mexico to violate our bilateral aviation agreement. That stops today. These initiatives should serve as a cautionary tale for any nation thinking it can exploit U.S., our carriers, and our market.’

In a clear show of competence and assertiveness, Trump has firmly placed himself as a tough negotiator on the global front, something Joe Biden continuously failed to achieve. This ferocity is especially evident with Mexico and other nations that previously took advantage of the U.S.’s lack of a firm hand.

Upon resuming office, Trump compelled Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to commit 10,000 National Guard soldiers to reduce the influx of drugs and illegal immigration through the U.S.-Mexico border. He achieved this in exchange for a pause on the White House’s 25% tariff on Mexican imports, an unequivocal demonstration of Trump’s negotiating prowess compared to Biden’s weak leadership.