Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has strongly condemned the construction of a new segment of the U.S. border wall in New Mexico, calling it a unilateral decision by the Trump administration and asserting that Mexico was not consulted or involved.

Speaking during her daily press briefing on Friday, Sheinbaum clarified that the Mexican government is neither financing nor supporting the project. “They’re building it on their own. We don’t support the wall. We’ve achieved a safe border through cooperation and coordination, not walls,” she said.

The new barrier, currently under construction between Santa Teresa, New Mexico, and Ciudad Juarez, includes a 9.6-kilometer stretch of 9-meter-high steel posts installed behind an existing 5.5-meter fence.

Sheinbaum criticized the decision as short-sighted and emphasized Mexico’s approach to bilateral relations based on mutual respect and economic development. She also highlighted the contributions of Mexican communities living in the United States and called for solutions that promote cooperation over division.

The wall construction comes alongside new trade tensions. Earlier this week, President Trump announced a 17% tariff on fresh tomatoes from Mexico and warned of a 30% tariff on goods from both Mexico and the European Union, effective August 1. In a letter addressed to Sheinbaum Pardo, Trump cited drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl smuggling, as justification for the tariffs.

Mexico is one of the United States’ largest trading partners, and the recent moves have sparked concern among business and political leaders on both sides of the border.

The Sheinbaum administration reiterated that it prefers diplomatic solutions rooted in dialogue and respect, not border walls and economic penalties.