Mexico’s government will seek to persuade the United States to preserve and extend the USMCA as formal talks begin the week of May 25, ahead of the joint review scheduled for July 1.
Speaking before the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations, Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard said North American trade integration has become strategically important as global competition intensifies, particularly with Asia’s growing role in supply chains and key industrial sectors.
Ebrard said Mexico’s priority will be to maintain as much tariff-free trade as possible among the three countries. According to the secretary, more than 80% of regional trade currently takes place without tariffs, making the preservation of those conditions a central goal.
He acknowledged challenges related to U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum and the automotive sector, but said Mexico and Canada remain in a stronger position than many other countries exporting to the U.S. market.
Ebrard added that economic realities may support the agreement’s continuity, given the importance of regional production networks for North America’s competitiveness. He also called for a broader regional strategy to reduce dependence on Asia in strategic sectors such as pharmaceuticals, electronics and advanced manufacturing.
The USMCA review is expected to play a key role in defining the future of trade in North America and the position of Mexico, the United States and Canada within shifting global production dynamics.
Source: El Financiero
