Pinche Muro Estúpido

Part of the already existing border wall, this section in Nogales, Texas

Why is Donald Trump trying to do everything he can to burn every ounce of goodwill that we might have accumulated since the Mexican-American War? How is that part of a good negotiating strategy when dealing with a close neighbor and ally? This is exactly what I feared when Donald Trump was getting close to winning the Republican nomination, which is that his style would degrade the discourse and elevate our most base instincts.

For example, does he not understand that making a border wall such a high priority, and insisting that his neighbor pay the construction cost, is the perfect recipe for a complete disintegration in diplomatic relations? Is that his objective? How is that in the interest of the United States or in the region's interest, for that matter?

Not to mention, that we already have walls in place where the Border Control agents have determined they are most needed (typically where there are two contiguous urban areas that cross the international border, such as in between Nogales, Texas and Nogales, Mexico), and adding walls in the vast, desolate areas where there are few people or eyes watching will serve as little obstacle to a determined migrant.

Add to all of this the completely irresponsible Trump threat to impose a 20% duty on all Mexican imports, when he knows perfectly well that customs duties between the U.S. and Mexico are set by international treaty and that arbitrary contravention of said treaty, except in times of war, is illegal?

Mexico and the United States have many common interests and many ways in which to benefit one another. Shutting down Mexican imports will not miraculously bring back American jobs and will not stem the flow of migrants and drugs from Mexico. To the contrary, Trump's actions, which are already destabilizing Mexico in dangerous ways and are threatening to weaken the U.S. economy, could cause these problems to get much, much worse.