The Mexican president wants to reach an agreement with the U.S. to further cooperate on security, but she has been undermined by the cartels’ pervasive influence.

A combination of tact and tenacity is credited for Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's successful dealings with US counterpart Donald Trump, most recently convincing him to delay a sky-high import tariff meant to come into effect Friday.

President Donald Trump and his Mexican counterpart Claudia Sheinbaum plan to speak by phone on Thursday morning, according to people familiar with the plans, as a Friday deadline to avoid a 30% tariff nears with no agreement between the US and its largest trade partner.