Prime Minister Mark Carney engaged in discussions with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday in preparation for the upcoming review of the North American trade agreement this year. The leaders covered various topics, with a focus on the imminent review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), as confirmed by a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. Emphasizing the need for joint efforts to tackle common economic priorities and challenges, they aimed to ensure stability, security, and prosperity for their citizens.
While Sheinbaum recently met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, official discussions on CUSMA between the U.S. and Mexico are set to commence late next month, with Canada awaiting a formal start date. The agreement stipulates a deadline of July 1 for the three nations to either renew the existing agreement or indicate their intent to withdraw, with the process potentially spanning up to a decade.
Both U.S. and Canadian officials anticipate negotiations extending beyond the July 1 deadline. Janice Charette, Canada’s chief trade negotiator, suggested that the U.S. is likely to address some details separately with Canada and Mexico, describing it as a supplementary bilateral component to the foundational CUSMA framework.
Moreover, Carney and Sheinbaum explored bilateral relations beyond CUSMA during their conversation. A Mexican trade delegation is scheduled to embark on a tour of three Canadian cities in early May, facilitating bilateral trade discussions between government representatives. This initiative follows a significant Canadian trade mission to Mexico in February, which encompassed visits to Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, resulting in over 20 new commercial partnerships.
The call between Carney and Sheinbaum took place against the backdrop of U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum affecting both countries. President Donald Trump recently announced tariff relief for Canadian and Mexican steel and aluminum companies, contingent upon their commitment to future production relocation to the U.S. These tariffs, along with other sector-specific tariffs, have been a topic of public dispute between Canadian and U.S. officials.
Additionally, during the call, Carney expressed appreciation to President Sheinbaum for her cooperation following the tragic killing of a Canadian tourist in Mexico earlier in the week. The victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, lost their life in a shooting incident at one of Mexico’s popular pyramids, with 13 others sustaining injuries. The assailant, a Mexican national, died on the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.