Trump Administration Forces Mexico to Honor Air Transport Agreement

The administration of former President Donald Trump has successfully compelled the Mexican government to adhere to an air transportation agreement that had been neglected during the Biden administration. According to a memo obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation, the Mexican government is taking immediate steps to comply with the U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement, which outlines critical provisions for airline operations between the two countries.

The developments come after a series of retaliatory actions initiated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) under Secretary Sean Duffy. The memo indicates that these measures prompted Mexico to restore airline slots that had been retracted from U.S. carriers, thereby reinstating their competitive positions in the market. Mexican officials are also reportedly adopting international scheduling standards and are willing to address operational concerns for cargo flights in Mexico City.

Background of the Agreement

The U.S.-Mexico Air Transport Agreement was implemented during the final days of the Obama administration. Signed in December 2015 and coming into effect in August 2016, the agreement aimed to significantly enhance trade and travel between the two nations. It aimed to eliminate governmental constraints on airline routes, allowing carriers from both countries to operate freely between any city in the U.S. and Mexico.

However, compliance issues arose in the following years, with Mexican officials allegedly breaching the terms of the agreement. According to the Trump administration, these violations diminished competition and granted a significant advantage to specific airlines in the U.S.-Mexico market. Notably, in 2022, the Mexican government rescinded airline slots and mandated the relocation of all-cargo operations, disrupting supply chains and impacting U.S. carriers.

Retaliatory Measures Implemented

In response to these grievances, Duffy announced a series of retaliatory measures aimed at reinforcing compliance with the agreement. These measures included requiring Mexican airlines to file operational schedules with the DOT and mandating pre-approval for large cargo or passenger aircraft charter flights between the two countries. Duffy emphasized the necessity of these actions, stating that the previous administration “allowed Mexico to break our bilateral aviation agreement.”

The memo praises the Trump administration for its assertive approach, claiming that it has successfully restored compliance and enhanced transparency in the air transport sector. It acknowledges the government’s immediate actions to address these issues as indicative of effective negotiations by the Trump administration and the DOT.

Trump has consistently positioned himself as a tough negotiator on the international stage, particularly regarding relations with Mexico. Upon his return to office, he pressured Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to deploy National Guard soldiers to the southern border to curb drug trafficking and illegal immigration, in exchange for pausing a proposed 25% tariff on Mexican imports.

The recent developments in the air transport agreement highlight the ongoing complexities in U.S.-Mexico relations and the significant impact of diplomatic negotiations on international agreements. As the situation evolves, the effectiveness of such measures in maintaining compliance remains to be seen, but the immediate outcomes appear to align with U.S. interests in the aviation sector.