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The government appears to be faced with a stark choice: either normalize the harsh reality of 80,000 to 100,000 Americans dying from fentanyl each year or take drastic measures to curb drug trafficking. However, significant actions could entail severe repercussions for U.S.-Mexico relations and the Mexican economy, which heavily relies on trade with the U.S., amounting to $5.3 trillion.
Political Complications and International Relations
The U.S. has occasionally attempted to coordinate efforts with Mexican authorities to combat drug cartels. For example, Trump had previously proposed a joint operation to eradicate powerful cartels using both Mexican and U.S. military resources, but the current Mexican President, Claudia Sheinbaum, declined the offer.