The trade ministers of Mexico, the United States and Canada met this Wednesday at the fourth meeting of the Free Trade Commission of the USMCA, the trade agreement of the three North American countries. Unlike other similar meetings, the three government officials made indirect references in ambiguous statements about the thorniest issues such as the stalled dispute over Mexican energy policy and the uncomfortable presence of China in Mexico.
The meeting, which is held annually, was held just two weeks before the presidential elections in Mexico, which will take place on June 2. It also came just a week after Joe Biden’s administration announced high tariffs on a range of goods of Chinese origin. The trade representative of that country, Katherine Tai, expressed concern that China uses Mexico as a springboard to access the US market by avoiding tariffs and even suggested that they do not rule out measures against Mexico if the country does not limit Chinese investment.
But the meeting produced no announcements or confrontations, at least in the media, unlike last year, when Tai said he had “deep-rooted” concerns about the Mexican president’s energy policy that benefited Mexican companies. State above private ones. At the time, he said the next step would be to escalate the dispute to a resolution panel, which has not happened.
On Tuesday, Tai’s office simply said in a statement that the official “emphasized the importance of advancing USMCA consultations on certain Mexican energy measures.” Tai and Mexico’s Secretary of Economy, Raquel Buenrostro, also discussed “persistent problems in steel and aluminum trade with Mexico,” in apparent allusion to an accusation made by chambers of commerce in the United States that Mexico is triangulating these raw materials. of Chinese origin to flood the American market. In a joint statement between the three ministers, reference was made only to “examining issues related to non-market policies and practices of other countries,” in possible reference to China, saying that such practices “undermine the trade agreement and harm workers.” Mexicans, Americans and Canadians, including in the automotive sector, among others.”
For her part, the Canadian Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, Mary Ng, went a little further in her communication, saying that she “raised Canada’s concerns about Mexico’s policies on renewable energy, mining and the General Law of Adequate and Sustainable Food. She also emphasized the need to protect the integrity of the North American steel and aluminum market.”
The USMCA came into force almost four years ago and will be reviewed in 2026, under new governments in both Mexico and the United States, a country that will elect a new president in November of this year.
Subscribe to the EL PAÍS Mexico newsletter and to whatsapp channel and receive all the key information on current events in this country.
#trade #ministers #Mexico #United #States #Canada #avoid #confrontations #USMCA #meeting