Mexican leader stresses sovereignty, holds off on retaliatory tariff threats

MEXICO CITY, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Mexico's president emphasized on Tuesday that she will defend her nation's sovereignty and independence but also pursue dialogue with U.S. President Donald Trump, a day after he began his new term with a flurry of orders, including measures to curb immigration.

In her first comments following Trump's inauguration, President Claudia Sheinbaum noted that some of his initial announcements closely resemble actions he took in his previous term, as she also sought to reassure Mexicans that she will strenuously defend their interests.

"Regarding the decrees that President Donald Trump signed yesterday, I would like to say the following: The people of Mexico can be sure that we will always defend our sovereignty and our independence," she said, flanked by her foreign and interior ministers.

"It's always important to have a cool head," added Sheinbaum.

The leftist leader, who took office last October, notably refrained from issuing her own tariff threats on imports from the United States in response to Trump's suggestion a day earlier that he could apply an across-the-board 25% duty on Mexican goods beginning in February. Sheinbaum limited her response to saying she will respond "step by step."

In the past, Sheinbaum and her economy minister have suggested Mexico would have to retaliate in kind if the new U.S. gover...
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