US-Mexico start talks ahead of pact review

The United States and Mexico announced on Thursday that negotiators will hold bilateral talks later this month ahead of a joint review of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

The first meeting is scheduled for the week of March 16, with subsequent discussions planned regularly, according to the US Trade Representative’s office. The USMCA is set for its formal trilateral review in July under the original terms of the agreement.

While President Donald Trump signed and praised the pact during his first term, he has reportedly considered abandoning it amid tensions with Canada. Trump has also threatened allies and competitors with rapid tariff changes, although certain Mexican and Canadian imports have been exempted.

Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s minister for Canada–US trade, expressed optimism about the agreement’s future. LeBlanc is scheduled to meet US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington on Friday to discuss the upcoming trilateral review and bilateral concerns.

For the US-Mexico talks, Greer and Mexican Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard have tasked negotiators with beginning a “scoping discussion” on measures to ensure the USMCA benefits “accrue primarily to the parties". This includes reducing reliance on imports from outside North America, strengthening rules of origin, and enhancing regional supply chain security.

LeBlanc indicated last week that the US trade team is prepared to provide specifics on proposed adjustments and that Trump’s public rhetoric does not necessarily reflect his team’s approach to the agreement.