U.S.-Mexican Relations the Trump Way

During the Trump administration, U.S.-Mexico relations have been guided in no small part by the personal relationship between Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray and Jared Kushner. Now Kushner is in hot political water. In his absence, relations are guided by Twitter sniping. From this morning:

Then the response:

This is not a healthy way for two allies with a long shared border to communicate. In fact, the personal relationship route is a dangerous one as well, but at least it involves mutual respect. Trump's tweet is intended as red meat for his core supporters and perhaps in some twisted way he sees it as giving him leverage in NAFTA negotiations, but fostering and nurturing animosity will backfire. Having a dysfunctional relationship with Mexico hurts the United States as well.