Mexico’s president said he was seeking lower tariffs as the two countries seek a new bilateral trade deal.
Published September 18, 2026
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she had a “very good” phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump as the neighboring countries continue efforts to agree on a bilateral trade deal.
The Mexican president said at a news conference Friday morning that he spoke with Trump on Wednesday, but did not provide further details.
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“We are seeing progress towards a potential agreement between us, Mexico and the United States,” Scheinbaum said, adding that he hopes the deal will reduce U.S. tariffs on Mexican goods.
“We are doing everything we can to reach an early agreement within a framework of sovereignty, respect and what is best for Mexico,” he added.
Mexico and the United States are aiming to strike a bilateral trade deal before the U.S. midterm elections in November, but many voters blame high prices on President Trump’s imposition of high import taxes on most trading partners around the world.
Sheinbaum said Mexico wants tariff relief for industries such as steel, aluminum and automobiles.
Mexico and Canada are part of a free trade agreement with the United States known as USMCA, which has resulted in a high degree of economic integration over the past few decades, with most exports exempt from U.S. tariffs.
However, President Trump has imposed high tariffs on some of these industries. As a result, Mexico and Canada are now scrambling to adapt to the Trump administration’s efforts to reorient U.S. trade relations.
President Trump said in remarks Thursday that the U.S. may end trade ties with Mexico and European countries in response to the Federal Reserve’s decision to raise interest rates.
Efforts toward a deal between Mexico and the United States come amid escalating tensions between the United States and Canada, prompting both countries to increase tariffs on some of their respective products.
President Trump’s comments have sparked anger in both neighboring countries in what critics see as a blatant disregard for sovereignty.
President Trump has mused about making Canada the 51st state and pushed for U.S. military operations in Mexican territory, a comment that sparked concern and opposition from Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
