MEXICO CITY, July 15, (Xinhua): Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday called on the United States to do more to curb drug and arms trafficking across the border as Washington threatens tariff hikes on Mexico. US President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to impose a 30-percent tariff on Mexican imports starting from Aug 1 in a letter addressed to Sheinbaum, accusing Mexico of failing to stop drug trafficking and illegal immigration to the United States.

Sheinbaum on Monday hit back at the criticism, calling on the United States to redouble its efforts to curb drug and arms trafficking on its own turf. "We do our part and they also have to do their part," she said at her daily press conference."There is collaboration. There is coordination." Sheinbaum noted she hopes to reach a deal with the United States to avoid Trump's proposed 30 percent tariff.

"We believe ... that we will reach an agreement with the United States government -- and that we will, of course, reach better terms," Sheinbaum said. Mexico sent a government delegation to the United States on Friday to begin talks with Washington on trade, energy, immigration and crime. Sheinbaum said she would meet later in the day with Mexican Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard and other representatives involved in the talks, noting that any deal with Washington will be based on respect for Mexico's sovereignty "as a non-negotiable principle."