In brief
President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico is in active talks with U.S. officials to address tariff disputes under the USMCA, focusing on steel, aluminum, and auto sectors. She emphasized that negotiations would continue regardless of the U.S. election outcome, as non‑tariff barriers have largely been resolved. Mexico aims for a sustained partnership with the U.S. amid the U.S. mid‑term election cycle.
In a daily press briefing on October 28 in Mexico City, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that Mexico was actively advancing trade negotiations with the United States to resolve remaining issues under the USMCA before the United States mid‑term elections on November 3.
Sheinbaum reported that Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard remains at the negotiating table, meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson to discuss tariff reductions for steel, aluminum and automotive products. The talks are conducted while the United States reviews the USMCA annually, a process that began on July 1 after the U.S. opted against automatic renewal.
Despite progress, Sheinbaum noted that no agreement has yet been reached on priority tariff‑reduction issues. She said Mexico continues to pursue a reduction of tariffs applied under Section 232 of U.S. trade law, which currently penalizes imported steel, aluminum and cars with duties that Mexico views as barriers to trade. The administration highlighted that while substantial non‑tariff barriers identified by Washington have been resolved, tariff problems remain a key sticking point.
Sheinbaum also highlighted Mexico’s stance on the upcoming elections. “We are going to continue working with the United States. That work is not interrupted,” she said, signifying that Mexico’s trade policy is designed to remain stable regardless of whether the electoral outcome changes the U.S. government.
She added that the negotiations have proceeded in a way that protects Mexican sovereignty. “The negotiations have proceeded without any surrender of sovereignty,” she said, underscoring that Mexico chooses common ground rather than shifting domestic policy to please any changing U.S. administration.
The Cuban president also responded to recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump about a possible deal. She urged “great patience and composure” throughout the talks, indicating that Mexico seeks a steady, measured approach to trade talks rather than reacting to political flare‑ups.
While the details of the tariff adjustments and the mechanics of any proposed reductions were not disclosed, the Mexican government reaffirmed its commitment to a trade partnership that would benefit both nations. The ongoing negotiations signal Mexico’s intent to secure a more predictable trading environment as it navigates the uncertainty of the U.S. mid‑term election cycle, preserving supply chains, investment flows, and shared economic growth objectives for the longer term. Despite the pending electoral changes, the focus remains on maintaining momentum toward an updated, mutually beneficial USMCA framework.>
