Mexico Edging Closer to New US Trade Deals, Ebrard Says

Milwaukee, Wisconsin — Mexico is “closer every day” to reaching new trade agreements with the United States and does not expect to lose the favorable position it holds relative to other US trading partners, Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard said after a meeting of nearly an hour with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

“We are getting closer on many things — moving forward, narrowing positions, resolving issues. And we keep advancing, advancing, advancing,” Ebrard said from the G20 trade ministerial in Milwaukee.

“There is a saying in Mexico: the one who perseveres, achieves. So the Mexican way is to persevere. Every day we are closer to having new agreements,” he added.

Ebrard said Mexico enjoys better conditions in its trade relationship with the United States than other countries, after comparing notes with representatives of Turkey, Saudi Arabia and other economies attending the G20 meeting.

“I was able to confirm that we are in a more favorable situation than the others,” he said.

The secretary also said Mexico will keep its advantageous position even amid the changes Washington is pursuing in its trade policy.

“Before, you had a very good position; this government arrived and we have the best position as well. And we do not expect that to change,” he said, summing up Mexico’s standing as “the country that exports the most and pays the least.”

Ebrard acknowledged, however, that US measures under Section 232 remain unresolved, including the 25% tariffs on Mexican steel and vehicle exports.

The talks are taking place alongside the review of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), in which the two countries have addressed steel and aluminum, automobiles, economic security, agriculture and labor during bilateral rounds.

Missions to Europe, Canada and a New Phase With India

Ebrard also announced a Mexican trade mission to European countries in the spring of 2027, tied to the modernization of Mexico’s trade agreement with the European Union, as well as a second business mission to Canada next year.

On India, he said the bilateral meeting in Milwaukee would open a “new phase” in the economic relationship, with talks covering everything from tequila — subject to a 150% tariff — to vehicles and auto parts.

“It is not acceptable to have a tariff of that size,” he said of the levy on tequila.

The secretary said that beyond defending its relationship with the United States, Mexico is seeking to broaden its ties with other economies at a time when, he said, “we are in a period of change in the global trade system.”

“That is why we have to be here, discussing and trying to persuade,” Ebrard said.