Mexican President Sheinbaum and Lutnick hold virtual talks on USMCA
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum held a virtual meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on the progress of negotiations over the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). An in-person meeting planned in Mexico City did not take place due to weather conditions that prevented Lutnick from flying to the Mexican capital, Mexico News Daily reports.
Mexico’s Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard also took part in the conversation. After the talks, he described the exchange as cordial and said the meeting could be useful for further trade negotiations with the United States.
Mexico’s position on the agreement
Sheinbaum said that preserving the USMCA is in the interests of Mexico, the United States and Canada. According to her, the Mexican side seeks for all three countries to remain parties to the trade agreement.
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One of Mexico’s goals in the negotiations is to reduce U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum and the automotive industry. The president called these duties unfair and harmful to the Mexican economy. She also said that Mexico does not want new tariffs to be imposed, as the United States has indicated the possibility of a new round of duties for many countries over what it calls excess production capacity.
Further talks in Washington
According to Sheinbaum, the negotiations cover 54 non-tariff issues raised by the United States. These include intellectual property, piracy and pharmaceuticals. Most of these issues have already been settled, although some remain open.
Ebrard said he would travel to Washington to continue talks with U.S. representatives, including Lutnick. These consultations are to take place before the fourth bilateral round of the USMCA review, scheduled for this month.
