Summit Failed: Iran Crisis Cancels Sheinbaum-Trump Face-to-Face at G7

The escalating war in the Middle East had a direct consequence for Mexico: the long-awaited first face-to-face meeting between President Claudia Sheinbaum and her US counterpart, Donald Trump, was abruptly canceled at the G7 summit.

The meeting, which was anticipated as a crucial point to smooth over differences at a time of heightened diplomatic tension, was a collateral victim of the global crisis. Donald Trump abandoned the G7 summit in its first session to focus on the conflict sparked by Israel's attack on Iran, leaving the bilateral agenda with Mexico up in the air.

The meeting came at a particularly delicate time for Mexico-United States relations. The issues on the table were top priorities and generated friction:

• * Immigration Raids: Trump's aggressive policy of increasing immigration detentions, even in Democratic-run cities, has generated strong condemnation and concern in Mexico.
• * Trade Policy: Trump's protectionist stance and uncertainty about the future of the USMCA were key points Sheinbaum sought to address.
• * Defense of Mexicans: Before leaving for the G7, President Sheinbaum had declared: "We are going to defend Mexicans," setting the tone for her diplomatic mission.

The summit was seen as an opportunity to address these issues within a trilateral framework with Canada, but the global crisis prevented this.

Given the impossibility of a face-to-face meeting, the two leaders held a phone call, described by the Mexican presidency as a "good call." Although the specific details of the conversation have not been made public, it is understood to be an effort to keep communication channels open amid the crisis.

"Sheinbaum and Trump share another 'good' phone call. The presidents were unable to meet alone at the G-7 due to the conflict between Israel and Iran." – Source: El País.

This call follows other interactions, such as one that occurred after Trump's cellphone company, Trump Mobile, included the "Gulf of Mexico" on its coverage map—a designation the US president has sought to ignore—sparking a minor controversy that was quickly quelled.

The cancellation of the in-person meeting represents a missed opportunity to directly and in-depth address the thorniest issues on the bilateral agenda. While the phone call serves as a palliative, it lacks the symbolic weight and depth of a formal meeting.

The Trump administration's attention, now entirely focused on the Middle East, is overshadowing the urgent needs of its southern neighbor. Pressure on migrants, trade uncertainty, and border tensions continue without a clear resolution at the presidential level.

Meanwhile, President Sheinbaum continued with her agenda at the G7, holding meetings with other world leaders, such as South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, seeking to strengthen strategic alliances for Mexico in an increasingly uncertain and volatile global scenario.