The United States and Mexico completed a first round of bilateral trade talks on Friday, May 30, focused on revising the North American Free Trade Agreement in light of pressure from President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.
The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is due for its first review since coming into force in 2020, with talks starting Wednesday led by Mexico’s Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard and US Deputy Trade Representative Jeff Goettman joining Thursday.
“We talked about rules of origination, the automotive sector, how we compete with countries in Asia and other parts of the world, and how we can integrate more,” Ebrard said in a statement.
The Mexican delegation in a statement described the talks as being held “in a constructive environment and with frank dialogue” that ended with a “net positive.”
The US Trade Representative Office said in a statement the US approached the talks with the goals of reducing Washington’s trade deficit with Mexico and strengthening US supply chains.
“During this first round, negotiators discussed priority issues related to automotive rules of origin, steel and aluminum, and economic security,” the statement said. “The United States and Mexico recognize the importance of advancing cooperation to enhance regulatory compatibility to strengthen sectors, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, cosmetic products, and others.”
Trump has threatened to pull out from the USMCA, arguing it doesn’t benefit the US economy, casting a shadow over the talks. The USMCA is critical for Mexico, as the United States accounts for more than 80 percent of its exports.
With the first round complete, future rounds of negotiations will take place in Washington in June, then Mexico City in July.
