President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that trade negotiations between Mexico and the United States will not be impacted by the bilateral security agenda, emphasizing that these issues are handled separately and under a principle of reciprocity.
In response to questions about whether Washington’s security demands affect the trade relationship, Sheinbaum commented: “The United States is interested in three issues: migration, security, and trade,” adding that Mexico seeks a mutual cooperation approach and no conditioning in these areas. Regarding migration, she highlighted that collaboration must be bilateral, noting that an economic downturn in Mexico could lead to an increase in migration to the U.S.
On security matters, she reaffirmed the Mexican government’s stance: if the U.S. demands a halt to drug trafficking, Mexico insists on prohibiting the entry of firearms from its territory and addressing the internal consumption of narcotics. Sheinbaum also downplayed the influence of statements from some U.S. lawmakers and officials, attributing them to the upcoming elections in November, and reiterated that the bilateral relationship is based on mutual respect.
Regarding the status of negotiations to renew the T-MEC, Sheinbaum reported that the negotiation table is led by Marcelo Ebrard, Secretary of Economy, and includes a team comprising several key representatives. She noted efforts to reduce tariffs on steel, aluminum, and cars while addressing an additional package related to “Article 301.” According to her, Ebrard has maintained constant dialogue in Washington.
This report is issued amidst a context where Sheinbaum’s government maintains that Mexico is one of the least affected countries by Donald Trump’s tariff policy, having been excluded from general tariffs. However, this preference seems to be contingent on progress in security and migration issues. Recently, Jamieson Greer, U.S. Trade Representative, warned that no tariff eliminations should be expected despite the T-MEC renegotiation. Despite the challenges, Sheinbaum assured that her administration continues working to achieve a beneficial agreement for Mexico, promising to keep the public informed about the progress of the talks.
Source: www.infobae.com
