Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Monday that a federal government delegation will travel to the United States this week to begin negotiations on a comprehensive agreement with the administration of President Donald Trump. The agreement will address key issues such as security, migration, and trade.
During her morning press conference, Sheinbaum confirmed that the bilateral meeting will take place this Friday and will be led by Minister of Economy Marcelo Ebrard, joined by representatives from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Relations (SRE).
“This week, a team from the Government of Mexico is going to the United States to work on the comprehensive agreement we discussed at the G7 with President Trump. It will be led by the Minister of Economy, but teams from the Finance and Foreign Relations ministries are also going. They will be there this Friday to begin a broader process of work on integrated issues: security, border security, migration, and trade,” Sheinbaum explained.
The President said the government is committed to securing the best possible conditions for Mexico in the negotiations with Washington. At the same time, she noted that alternatives are being explored to expand national production and diversify export markets to other countries.
Copper Exports: Mexico Seeks New Markets
Sheinbaum also addressed the recent announcement that the Trump administration will impose a 50% tariff on copper imports. She emphasized that the measure could negatively impact both countries. While the United States is a major trade partner, she noted that China is currently the top destination for Mexican copper.
“We export more copper to China than to the United States. Much of it is scrap that is later refined in the United States and their industries need it. That’s the main issue when tariffs are imposed: although they aim to protect the domestic economy, in reality, the United States depends on these imports for its own internal functioning,” Sheinbaum explained.
She added that Mexico is already exploring new export strategies for copper, a resource that remains in high demand worldwide.
Finally, the President warned that the U.S. government’s protectionist stance may backfire. “This negative approach to imports also hurts the United States in many ways because our economies are deeply integrated,” she concluded.
Related: “Mexicans Are Always Supportive and Fraternal”: Sheinbaum Responds to U.S. Actress Viola Davis
Mexican Press Agency is part of ALMA, which is dedicated to news and information about Mexico and Mexicans in the United States and is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Focus, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Redwood City, California.
