USMCA talks in Mexico City target tariffs and supply chain unity
For the first time in a government dialogue session, business leaders and private-sector representatives presented U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer with proposals to eliminate tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles, as well as to maintain preferential treatment for industrial and agricultural goods.
During the second bilateral round of negotiations, held in Mexico City, Greer and Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard agreed to "advance key technical discussions this week on economic security and complementary trade measures, strengthen rules of origin for critical industrial products, collaborate on critical minerals, and resolve pending bilateral disputes."
They also scheduled the first official bilateral negotiation meeting under the USMCA for the week of May 25, also in Mexico City.
After the talks, Ebrard emphasized the importance of engaging with business and private-sector representatives, stating, "The United States takes note of Mexico's concerns. I would say the treaty review process is going very well."
Following discussions on the implementation of the Mexico-United States-Canada Agreement (USMCA), Ebrard and Greer met with leaders from the steel and automotive industries—sectors affected by tariffs imposed under former President Donald Trump.
The USTR chief heard from members of Mexico's Business Coordinating Council (CCE), the Mexican Business Council (CMN), and the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico (AmCham).
Ebrard noted that while Greer returned to Washington, D.C., in the afternoon, U.S. technical experts remained in Mexico. "We will hear today [Monday] and tomorrow [Tuesday] about the U.S. positions on these issues," he said.
Antonio del Valle, co-chair of the Mexican Business Council, remarked, "We explained to [Greer] what transnational companies are doing in Mexico and the U.S., the importance of integrated supply chains, and the value we add to the region."
After meeting with Greer at the National Palace, President Claudia Sheinbaum posted on X that the negotiations continue to "move forward positively."
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