Just days before the 90-day deadline set by President Donald Trump’s administration for the imposition of tariffs on Mexico, Minister of Economy Marcelo Ebrard announced that progress in the negotiations with the United States has reached the 90% mark, expressing confidence that an agreement will be achieved before the cutoff date.
After a private meeting lasting more than two hours with the Political Coordination Board of the Chamber of Deputies, the official stated that virtually all issues of mutual interest have already been addressed at the bilateral negotiation tables.
“Regarding the 90 days, the deadline set (by the United States), which is now only a few days away, I was in Washington last Thursday and Friday… I would say we have made very significant progress—on practically all the elements we have been discussing prior to the treaty review, we are at about 90% of the way,” Ebrard said.
The deadline established by the U.S. government expires on October 29, the date at which, if no agreement is reached, tariffs of up to 30% could be imposed on imports of Mexican products.
At the time, Trump stated that “we will be talking with Mexico over the next 90 days with the goal of signing a trade agreement within the 90-day period, or longer.”
According to Ebrard, during this period Mexico has sought to resolve all pending issues to facilitate the upcoming review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), scheduled for next year.
“I am optimistic, reasonably so, about what we can expect in the coming weeks,” said the Minister of Economy following his appearance.
Amid recurring comments from President Trump and his administration concerning the possibility of terminating the USMCA and replacing it with separate bilateral agreements with Mexico and Canada, Ebrard emphasized that all indications suggest the trade pact will remain trilateral.
The Minister stressed that negotiations with the United States have been carried out with a technical and constructive approach, aimed at maintaining trade stability and avoiding unilateral measures that could harm the production chains of both nations.
“Practically all the issues that concern both Mexico and the United States have been put on the table,” he reiterated.
The USMCA review, scheduled for next year, will be a key opportunity to evaluate the trade commitments among the three countries. Diplomatic sources indicate that Mexico seeks to ensure that any modifications uphold the principles of reciprocity, regional integration, and respect for economic sovereignty.
Ebrard stated that dialogue will continue in the coming days with the goal of “maintaining a strong and fair trade relationship with the United States.”
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