Sheinbaum: No Anti-US Alliance with Canada

Mexico City — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that her upcoming meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is not intended to form an alliance against the United States in response to its recent tariff decisions. The Canadian leader is visiting Mexico on September 18 and 19 to meet with the federal Executive and with business leaders.

When asked directly if the objective of the meeting was to ally against the tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, the federal leader responded that the goal extends beyond that scenario. She recalled that since their dialogue at the G7 summit in Canada, they have discussed strengthening trade between the two nations as part of the Treaty between Mexico, the United States, and Canada (USMCA).

“More than that, the idea of what we have discussed… All three countries want to maintain the Mexico-United States and Canada Trade Agreement, but we want to strengthen trade with Canada, both Mexico's exports to Canada and Canada's to Mexico in certain sectors, and at the same time, investments in Mexico in different areas of the economy,” Sheinbaum said. “For example, I always mention it—on the issue of Canadian mining: it has to comply with all environmental regulations, which they have not necessarily complied with,” she responded.

Regarding Carney’s visit, the President commented that she will first receive him at the National Palace on Thursday; subsequently, both will hold a press conference, and then the visitor will meet with the business sector. His reception at the Felipe Ángeles International Airport will be handled by the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), Juan Ramón de la Fuente.

The visit of Mark Carney will be the second visit by a head of state that Sheinbaum has received in the first year of her term. The first was with the arrival of the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, with whom she also met at the National Palace on December 16, 2024.

USMCA Consultations

In addition to labor and other matters, the consultations opened this Wednesday by the Mexican government ahead of the review of the USMCA will also concern the tariffs that Donald Trump has imposed, President Sheinbaum assured.

She indicated that this consultation process was also initiated by her two North American trading partners, as mandated by the guidelines governing the trilateral treaty. She emphasized that this step has been taken with communication and coordination, as the three countries agreed to start the process simultaneously.

“We knew that this communication from the U.S. government was coming, and we agreed to issue it at the same time, all three countries. It is by law, it is not something invented at this moment; there must be consultations. The Mexico-United States-Canada Trade Agreement is a law for the three countries; it is approved by the Senate in all three countries. Therefore, it is established in the signing of the treaty that on these dates the consultation call for the review of the USMCA had to be opened, which begins next year,” she said.

She elaborated that the consultations will address labor issues and, above all, the tariffs decreed by the United States. “And now we are opening it to labor issues, to issues that are obviously now at hand, which is… more than at hand, which have been decided unilaterally by the U.S. government, which is the issue of tariffs, but there are important review matters that must be done. So, this consultation is opened online and also with in-person roundtables,” she said.

She added that although Mexico proposed that the consultations last 60 days, they could be extended another 30 days for a total of 90, as the United States will do.

Sheinbaum Dismisses Impact from Delta-Aeroméxico Split

President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that the breakup of the alliance between Aeroméxico and Delta Air Lines will not bring a “major” economic impact; however, she said the U.S. administration will be asked to explain the reasons that led to this decision.

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the revocation of the terms under which both airlines maintained their partnership, citing a lack of equitable conditions that have ended up being exploited to the disadvantage of the United States.

In downplaying that this will generate economic damages, the President said that the government will nonetheless be close to the Mexican airline. “We do not believe it will have a major economic impact. If they want, also… If it is this week or tomorrow, let's see if they can issue a statement on the scope of the resolution that is being taken. And we will also be close to Aeroméxico to see the impacts this will have,” she said.

She also emphasized that the concerns the United States expressed regarding the transfer of cargo operations to the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) were addressed, and even the opening of “decision spaces” was proposed.

She denied that this operation for cargo has harmed U.S. aviation, as was alleged weeks ago, or that it was arbitrary. She stressed that this change for cargo was made to alleviate the saturation already faced by the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) and that it has contributed to improving safety and streamlining procedures.

After stating that all companies agree with this change, she said she will ask the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT) to issue a statement disclosing the impact of the pause in the relationship. Nevertheless, she assured that Aeroméxico remains a competitive airline.