David Agren

Special for USA TODAY

MEXICO CITY — Discontent runs so deep over domestic issues here — including a recent 20% hike in gas prices — that many Mexicans express more frustration with President Enrique Peña Nieto than with Mexico-bashing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

“It’s a strong competition, but I would dare to say Peña Nieto is more unpopular,” said Miguel Martínez, an insurance agent. “Peña Nieto has more to do directly with what impacts us.”

Throughout the U.S. presidential campaign, Trump hurled insults at the United States' southern neighbor, calling some Mexican migrants “rapists” and robbers. He also promised to build a wall along the border to stem illegal entries — and Mexico would paid for it.

Despite Trump's litany of criticisms, Mexicans are increasingly upset with their own government. This month they marched in the streets, blocked highways, looted stores and closed gas stations to protest gasolinazo, the jump in the government-set gasoline price.

“It hits you in the pocketbook,” said Martínez, who marched in one of the many protests in Mexico City. “You have to pay more for public transport and basics like food" because of the gasolinazo.

It’s no small matter in a country where the minimum wage is $4 per day, and the Mexican peso lost roughly 20% of its value in 2016. The peso plunged another 1.94% Wednesday, as Commerce secretary nominee Wilbur Ross reiterated plans to renegotiate NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, Reuters reported.

Peña Nieto holds a low approval rating of 12%, according to a poll published Wednesday in the Reforma newspaper, as Mexico is engulfed with deep public debts, sluggish oil revenues and political scandals.

“There’s a sense of grievance” with the government, said Ilán Semo, a political historian at the Iberoamerican University.

Peña Nieto has been unable to communicate effectively about common issues facing Mexicans, said Manuel Molano, deputy-director of the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness, a think tank.

For the past two months since the U.S. election, Mexico's president has talked about expecting positive relations with the Trump administration, but he recently said his country “absolutely will not pay for” a wall along the border.

Mexico says it will negotiate with President-elect Donald Trump

Trump says U.S. will be 'paid back' for Mexico wall

“All matters that define our bilateral relationship are on the table,” Peña Nieto insisted.

He listed several thorny topics to be worked out between the two countries: stopping the cross-border flow of guns, ending the ease of money laundering for criminal organizations and handling Central American migrants trying to cross Mexico to reach the U.S.

“At no time will we accept anything that goes against our dignity as a country and our dignity as Mexicans,” Peña Nieto said.

Behind his strong statements, analysts say the government is scrambling. Mexico recently appointed its third ambassador to Washington in the less than a year. And Peña Nieto tapped a trusted confident, Luis Videgaray — responsible for arranging Trump’s controversial campaign trip to Mexico in August — as foreign minister.

Videgaray’s appointment has triggered public indignation.

Analysts say Videgaray will need to forge a friendship with Trump’s inner circle — most notably with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

“It’s a Hail Mary pass,” said Esteban Illades, editor of the Mexican magazine Nexos. “Seeing that Trump is highly volatile and usual (diplomatic) channels don’t work, this is probably the best shot that Peña Nieto has.”

Trump’s threats have already caused turmoil in Mexico, which has transformed over the past 25 years from a closed economy to one so open that more than $500 billion in goods annually cross the border.

The impact has especially hit the automobile industry, which has expanded rapidly and “represents about one-third of total Mexican manufacturing and roughly about one-third of total non-oil exports,” said Jonathan Heath, an independent economist in Mexico City.

With Trump becoming president, “a lot of firms are going to start postponing their investment decisions, waiting to see what’s going to happen," Heath said.

Ford shelved plans for a $1.6 billion plant in San Luis Potosí state, while Fiat Chrysler said it would pull up stakes if forced. German automaker BMW, however, said it would keep its plans for a plant in Mexico despite Trump telling the company to come to the U.S. with production.

Ford cancels Mexico plant, expands U.S. factory and adds 700 jobs

Fiat Chrysler saying that it would be willing "to pack up and leave is the worst thing said in a long time,” said Federico Estévez, political science professor at the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico. “It’s very different from canceling future investments."

The Ford decision in early January prompted calls here for boycotts of companies buckling under Trump’s pressure. Most of those petitions have come from politicians rather than ordinary citizens.

“There’s a weird phenomenon here,” said Arturo Gutierrez Vargas, a protester who predicts his business of importing and supplying lubricants to garages will go under in six months.

“Politicians are attacking Trump’s discourse, when in reality they’re diverting people’s attention," he said. "We’re not watching as they raise taxes and the price of gasoline.”