By Roger B. Rueda, PhD
It takes a special kind of arrogance to believe that a wall can stop the tide of history. But alas, the former poster child of hubris, Donald Trump, is once again prattling on about his great American fortress—one that is less about security and more about insecurity. Enter Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, a woman whose intellect is as sharp as her wit, and whose recent address to Trump could easily double as a masterclass in geopolitical reality checks.
Sheinbaum, in her unflinching delivery, reminds the “America First” crowd of one fundamental truth: the world does not revolve around the United States. In fact, the rest of the world—those 7 billion “consumers” (a term the free-market-loving Americans should understand)—can and will move on without them. The illusion of American indispensability, she argues, is just that: an illusion.
Let’s break it down.
The Free Market Cuts Both Ways
Americans love their capitalism—until it turns against them. Sheinbaum coolly points out that while Trump and his minions dream of fortress America, the rest of the planet has options. iPhones? Samsung and Huawei will gladly step in. Levi’s jeans? Zara and Massimo Dutti are ready. American cars? No problem—Toyota, Kia, Honda, and BMW are already leagues ahead in quality and innovation.
It is an economic reality that Trump, the supposed “business genius,” should know: markets don’t have loyalty, only logic. If the world stops buying American, the U.S. economy won’t just catch a cold—it’ll be on life support.
Hollywood, McDonald’s, and the Myth of Cultural Monopoly
For decades, American soft power was wielded through Hollywood blockbusters and the golden arches of McDonald’s. But here’s the kicker: the world is discovering that it can live without them. Latin American and European cinema have long since eclipsed Hollywood’s tired sequels and uninspired storytelling. As for burgers? Please—have you tried Mexican street food? A Big Mac is nothing more than a sad excuse for nourishment compared to a proper torta de cochinita pibil.
And let’s talk tourism. The idea that the U.S. is the ultimate destination is laughable. People don’t fly across the world to see strip malls and Olive Gardens. They go to Mexico for its breathtaking beaches, to Peru for Machu Picchu, to Egypt for the pyramids. The U.S. may have Disney World, but guess what? The world has alternatives—alternatives that don’t charge $200 for a family-sized portion of disappointment.
Walls Are for the Weak
But here’s where Sheinbaum’s speech lands its most devastating blow: walls are a sign of failure, not strength.
A truly great nation doesn’t cower behind barriers; it engages, competes, and adapts. The Berlin Wall fell because oppression is unsustainable. The Great Wall of China, impressive as it was, did not stop the Mongols. Trump’s wall, should it ever materialize beyond cheap campaign rhetoric, will not stop the inevitable forces of migration, economic interdependence, or global progress.
The sheer irony of it all is that while Trump fantasizes about shutting out the world, he is, in effect, shutting in the U.S.—trapping it in a bubble of delusion where it believes its own superiority while the rest of the planet moves forward.
Dear America: The World Is Watching
Sheinbaum’s message is clear: America, you are not the center of the universe. The world has choices. Your economy is not invincible. Your culture is not irreplaceable. And if you insist on walling yourself off, don’t be surprised when the world builds new roads that bypass you entirely.
Trump may not listen—after all, facts and critical thinking have never been his strong suit—but for those Americans who still have the ability to process reality, take Sheinbaum’s words as a warning. The future does not wait for nations that isolate themselves.
So go ahead, build your wall. The rest of us will be on the other side—thriving, trading, and laughing at the sheer stupidity of it all.
Dr. Roger B. Rueda serves as the Director of the University Center for Instructional Materials Development and the University and College Student Media at Guimaras State University’s Salvador (Main) Campus.
He concurrently advises The Dawn Media, the university’s official student publication, fostering student journalism and media literacy.
At GSU’s main campus in McLain, Buenavista, Guimaras, Dr. Rueda leads initiatives to develop and enhance educational resources that support the university’s academic programs.
