The Trump Effect: Ripples of Migration, Tariffs, and Tension Across Latin America

Mexico seems to be caving in to Trump's threats. Yet the U.S. should blame themselves for neglecting Latin America.

As Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, his hardline immigration rhetoric and threats of steep tariffs on Mexican exports are rippling across Latin America. From Mexico’s aggressive crackdown on migrant caravans to rising fears of economic isolation, the region is being forced to adapt.

Yet, the Trump Effect extends beyond trade wars—it exacerbates migration crises, deepens political divisions, and exposes vulnerabilities in economies heavily dependent on U.S. policies. InFocus this week explores how Latin America is responding to these pressures while grappling with the long-standing consequences of U.S. neglect.

Will Trump’s return bring irreversible changes to the region, or will it reinforce old patterns of instability? We untangle the threads of migration, trade, and resistance.