File photo of Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard speaking in Mexico City (Mexico).
Mexico City, May 28 (EFE) – The head of the Ministry of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, indicated this Thursday that Mexico and the United States are making progress in the talks as part of the review of the Mexico, United States and Canada Treaty (USMCA).
“Making progress in talks with the U.S. delegation (Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)) regarding the review of the USMCA,” Ebrard noted in a message on social media.
This Thursday marked the second day of the first formal bilateral round of talks with the United States leading up to the joint review of the agreement.
Ebrard had previously stated that the talks, taking place this week in Mexico City, will focus on six key areas: the automotive sector, steel and aluminum, medical devices, labor advancements, critical minerals, and economic security.
The U.S. delegation in Mexico is headed by Jeffrey Goettman, representative of the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), in the absence of Ambassador Jamieson Greer.
On Wednesday, Ebrard rejected the notion that Greer’s absence diminishes the political weight of the meeting and maintained that Washington sent a “very high-caliber” delegation, comprised of Mexico’s usual counterparts in trade negotiations.
He specified that in these talks, Mexico will raise as its primary concern the tariffs on steel and aluminum, particularly the 50% tariff. The official stated that the percentage increase was “unsustainable” and unjustified.
He insisted that Mexico will seek to address North America’s competitiveness against other regions of the world, presenting specific data and proposals to counter U.S. protectionism.
He also announced that agriculture will be discussed at the next meeting, scheduled for June 16 and 17 in Washington, where, he said, Mexico will defend trade complementarity with the United States.
Ebrard further reported that a third round of talks will be held in Mexico City during the week of July 20, considered crucial for defining the next steps in the review.
