MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico and the United States said Thursday they will begin talks on March 16 ahead of a review of the free trade agreement that has shaped both countries’ economies and stabilized some of their trade despite President Donald Trump’s ever-shifting tariff policies.
The bilateral trade talks come ahead of a review scheduled for later this year of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the latest version of the free trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada dating back to the early 1990s that has linked the economies of the three North American countries.
Because many Mexican products are covered by free trade agreements, the USMCA has allowed Mexico to avoid many of President Trump’s protectionist measures. However, many products are exempt, including medium- and heavy-duty trucks, which are subject to a 25% tariff. 50% tariffs on steel, aluminum and copper remain in effect, as does a 17% tariff on Mexican tomatoes.
Mexico’s Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard told X that the first round of upcoming bilateral talks will be coordinated with U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Grier and will address issues such as rules of origin, increased production, supply chain security and economic integration to improve competitiveness with other regions.
Mr. Greer’s office said that after the initial talks, the two sides “will meet regularly thereafter.”
Relations between the three USMCA partners have been strained over the past year due to President Trump’s protectionist policies, putting markets and investors on edge. Ebrard and other Mexican officials regularly travel to Washington to meet with U.S. officials to offset the threat of tariffs.
Mexico and Canada are also in talks to strengthen cooperation on trade and security ahead of a review of the USMCA, scheduled for six years after it takes effect.
