Mexico Turns to China as U.S. Threats Mount

Mexico Turns to China as U.S. Threats Mount

Author: Soberanía Podcast September 9, 2026 Duration: 58:33

In episode 123 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth cover Mexico's foreign minister Roberto Velasco's visit to China, where Beijing reaffirmed its support for Mexico's sovereignty and opposition to foreign interference — a clear signal as Mexico seeks to diversify its relationships amid U.S. pressure. The hosts argue that with the U.S.-Canada trade war escalating (including unprecedented product bans), Mexico cannot afford to remain dependent on a single partner, especially as the U.S. declines technologically while China leads.Next, they break down the 2027 economic package, which avoids raising taxes on the wealthy and instead targets tax evasion through fake invoicing (the "factureras") and pushes for a digital economy with reduced cash use. While the hosts support going after tax cheats, they question the plan's reliance on private banks — which charge exorbitant fees — instead of strengthening the state-run Banco de Bienestar. They also highlight the real culprit behind weak investment: Trump's instability, not Mexico's policies, and note that foreign direct investment remains at record highs.The episode then examines a suspicious document published by Televisa's investigative unit, allegedly showing Senator Julieta Ramírez seeking a cooperation deal with the U.S. Justice Department. The hosts point out multiple red flags: the document is in Spanish without an accompanying English version, has no signatures, and Televisa didn't contact Ramírez or the DOJ for comment. They suspect either journalistic incompetence or a deliberate smear against a rising Morena politician from a border state.Losers and Haters takes aim at Fox News for hyping the Pentagon's downing of "cartel drones" as a justification for lethal military action — when Mexican officials have clarified these are commercial surveillance drones used for migrant trafficking, not weapons. The hosts see this as part of a deliberate campaign to build public support for unilateral U.S. military strikes in Mexico.


Navigating the complex landscape of Mexican politics requires more than just headlines. Soberanía: The Mexican Politics Podcast offers a distinct entry point, providing consistent news and analysis grounded in a grassroots, leftist perspective. This isn't about distant political commentary; it's about understanding the forces, movements, and people shaping Mexico from the ground up. Each episode digs into the stories behind the news, examining the players and power dynamics that often get lost in translation for English-language audiences. You'll hear discussions that connect policy to everyday life, analyzing developments with a focus on social movements, labor, and community action. The goal is to foster a deeper, more nuanced comprehension of the country beyond conventional narratives. By tuning into this podcast, you gain access to a dedicated space for thoughtful exploration of Mexican current affairs, where analysis is tied directly to the perspectives of those most impacted by political decisions. The Soberanía Podcast serves as a vital resource for anyone looking to move past superficial reporting and engage with the substantive, often overlooked, conversations defining Mexico's present and future.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Soberanía: The Mexican Politics Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Goodbye Grift: Mexico Neuters US-Funded NGOs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:37
In episode 101 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth return from a brief break to tackle the Mexican tax authority's decision to revoke the tax-deductible status some NGOs operating in the countr…
Iran's Existential Fight: Lessons for Latin America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:18
In episode 98 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth analyze the widening global conflict following the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran and its implications for Mexico and Latin America.The episode le…
Mexico Takes Down El Mencho: Fake News War Erupts Online [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:43
In episode 97 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth dissect the fallout from the Mexican military's operation that killed Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera, leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generati…
The Mining Minefield: US Sets Sights on Mexico’s Strategic Minerals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:29
In episode 95 of Soberanía, hosts José Luis Granados Ceja and Kurt Hackbarth tackle the controversy surrounding the U.S.-Mexico critical minerals agreement, examining what it actually says, what it doesn’t, and why it ha…