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Mexico, Canada have formed a common front on CUSMA talks, says Sheinbaum
Mexico has formed a common front with Canada during talks on the future of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), says Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
The three sides are holding a pivotal virtual meeting on July 1 to discuss whether to extend the trade agreement for another 16 years or embark on other paths that could see talks continue.
Canada and Mexico have both formally stated their intention to seek a 16-year extension of the trilateral trade deal that was born over three decades ago.
Mexico has formed a common front with Canada in talks over the future of the CUSMA trade deal, Sheinbaum says.
The U.S. has offered conflicting signals on its intentions, with President Donald Trump threatening not to renew the deal, which he signed during his first term as president, then later saying he may sign it. But the U.S. has yet to issue a formal position.
Sheinbaum said Canada and Mexico had formed a common front "through the communications that we have" in talks around CUSMA's renewal.
"We have strengthened our relationship with Canada, there are Canadian business investments in Mexico," said Sheinbaum, responding to a question from CBC News during her regular weekday news conference. "And, in addition to that, our commerce is getting stronger."
The CUSMA deal is set to expire in 2036. Any of the parties to the agreement can pull out of the trade accord after giving six months notice. While the U.S. has insisted on having ongoing, separate talks on the trade deal with Mexico and Canada, Sheinbaum says her country has always favoured trilateral negotiations.
"We all know of the decision by the government of the United States, of President Trump, of a different vision of international commerce where they have become more protectionist," said Sheinbaum. "Talks are happening within this framework."
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