Mexico City — Mexico and the United States launched the third round of joint negotiations on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) on Tuesday, a process that will help define the future of the countries’ most important trade relationship.
Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard welcomed the delegation from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) at the agency’s headquarters. The teams are scheduled to hold meetings from Tuesday through Thursday.
On the first day, discussions took place at the technical level without USTR Jamieson Greer, who may join the talks later. Working groups on various chapters of the agreement will continue in the coming days.
Ebrard expressed confidence that the meetings would yield positive progress for both nations and reiterated that Mexico’s top priority is preserving the competitive advantages offered by the treaty.
“I was pleased to welcome those who will participate in the first sessions of the round for the USMCA review. We will be working today, tomorrow and Thursday with different teams, both from the United States and Mexico. I’ll keep you updated,” Ebrard wrote on social media.
The United States remains Mexico’s main trading partner, receiving about 80% of Mexican exports. Maintaining preferential access to the US market is considered strategic for sectors such as automotive, manufacturing, agri-food and electronics.
Mexico seeks investment certainty
The Mexican government aims for the review process to strengthen investment certainty and avoid new trade barriers that could affect the competitiveness of companies operating in the country.
Analyst Jorge Molina Larrondo said that from a diplomatic protocol perspective, Ebrard’s decision to personally receive the US delegation could be interpreted as a gesture that diminishes the hierarchical weight of Mexico’s representation.
“In this game of diplomacy, hierarchy is very important. If someone at my level is not at the table, I should not be there,” the specialist said, suggesting that lower-ranking officials could have handled the reception.
US prepares tariffs on 60 countries and medicines
Meanwhile, the United States is preparing a new round of tariffs that could affect about 60 trading partners, USTR Jamieson Greer announced.
President Donald Trump also announced a 100% tariff on imported generic drugs starting in August 2028, rising to 200% in 2029, as part of his strategy to encourage pharmaceutical production to return to US soil.
“From August 1, 2026, all imported generic drugs… will have 100% tariffs,” Trump said.
