Mexico, Canada End High-Level Trade Talks in Mexico City

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum met with Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand in Mexico City to strengthen bilateral relations and discuss trade amid tensions caused by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies. The talks, held over two days, aimed to shore up cooperation between Canada and Mexico, especially in light of the recent U.S. imposition of a 35 percent tariff on certain Canadian goods not compliant with the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), while Mexico received a temporary reprieve from similar tariffs. These discussions precede Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's planned visit to Mexico and include meetings with business leaders to advance shared priorities such as economic growth, security, and trade. The situation reflects ongoing concerns about potential disruptions in North American trade, with some Canadian officials advocating for a bilateral trade deal with the U.S. to address issues including the entry of non-compliant goods through Mexico. Both countries emphasize the importance of maintaining strong ties despite challenges posed by U.S. trade policies. The next mandatory review of CUSMA is scheduled for the following year, highlighting the urgency of these diplomatic efforts.