The Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, hoped that by November “the greatest number of issues that could constitute an obstacle or controversy” for the TMEC will have been eliminated, before the formal review scheduled for 2026.
“We are going to try to reach the month of November by removing from the table the greatest number of issues that could constitute an obstacle, an irritant or a controversy, when we sit down to properly review the treaty that is the ultimate objective,” he declared.
The official estimated that 80% of the current discussion is of a technical nature and based on cost-benefit models and statistics, on which all negotiations will be based.
He assured that the trade agreement will survive to shore up trade in North America, although renegotiation and review will be difficult and present risks.
“Many risks must be overcome and it will be a difficult review, but the treaty will survive,” he said before businessmen who make up the Business Coordinating Council (CCE).
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He stated that the review of the USMCA is advancing in a coordinated manner between the three countries and that the government’s central objective is to reduce the impact of the unilateral tariffs applied by the United States.
He explained before the plenary session of the CCE that at the beginning of the year the scenario contemplated risks of commercial breakdown or fragmented renegotiations. However, he affirmed that Mexico managed to start an orderly and joint review process with Washington and Ottawa.
“We are at the beginning of the review process coordinated with the United States and Canada, that is no small feat,” he said.
‘There has never been a trilateral negotiation all the time’
Ebrard said that during the previous negotiation that gave rise to the USMCA there were bilateral and trilateral issues, so “there has never been a trilateral negotiation all the time, there are many issues that are very specific to Mexico with the United States and there are many issues that are from Canada to the United States.”
“If Canada is going to buy F-35 aircraft, then we are not going to be at that negotiating table,” he stressed.
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“Canada exports energy to the United States, but we import energy to the United States. In short, there are a series of differences on issues. Now there are those in the United States who say that we should create a relationship with more bilateral emphasis. At the end of the day, the treaty belongs to the three countries, understanding that we have different bilateral agendas,” he said.
The official explained that it was agreed with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and with the Canadian government to begin parallel consultations, each under the mechanisms of their political systems.
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In the case of Mexico, he said, work is being done with 30 sectors and state forums to identify priorities and prepare the national position towards November.
According to the official, the United States and Mexico have already expressed their respective concerns.
One of the most sensitive issues, he noted, is the imposition of global tariffs by the United States under different legal arguments.
Ebrard pointed out that Mexico seeks to reduce these tariffs or establish discount schemes to mitigate the damage to national exports.
“All of these tariff decisions have negative impacts and costs. Those are our concerns because they essentially contradict the treaty,” he said.
Ebrard defends barriers to Chinese products
Marcelo Ebrard also defended the proposal sent to Congress to adjust the national tariff policy in order to contain the growing trade deficit, especially with China.
“We cannot allow the deficit to continue growing as it is growing, it impacts our productive plant,” he said, although he clarified that it is not about modifying all foreign trade.
Finally, he stressed that Mexico must remain flexible in the face of the evolution of trade policy between the United States and China, but with the permanent objective of preserving favorable competitive conditions.
With information from Enrique Hernández and EFE
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