Key points
- Trump has raised tariffs on Canada, delayed them for Mexico
- Talks cover trade, growth, and security before PM Carney’s visit
- Both prepared for the 2026 USMCA review and stronger ties
MEXICO CITY, Mexico: Mexico’s president on Tuesday hosted senior Canadian officials to discuss strategy in the face of US President Donald Trump’s trade tariff offensive.
Trump has imposed additional duties on both countries despite the existence of the three-way United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) free trade treaty, which he has said he wants to renegotiate, according to AFP.
The US president raised tariffs on isolated Canadian imports from 25 to 35 per cent from August 1, but has agreed to delay a 30 per cent general tariff on imported Mexican goods for 90 days.
Both countries are affected by global US tariffs on automotive, aluminum and steel exports.
“They (Canada) are paying a 35 percent tariff and Mexico is not; we are going to exchange experiences, they want to know how Mexico is achieving these results,” Mexican Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard told reporters ahead of a meeting with Canada’s Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne in Mexico City.
President Claudia Sheinbaum received Champagne and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, and wrote on X that “we are strengthening the relationship between our countries.”
Recibimos en Palacio Nacional a la ministra de Asuntos Exteriores de Canadá, Anita Anand, y al ministro de Finanzas e Ingresos Nacionales, François-Philippe Champagne. Fortalecemos la relación entre nuestros países. pic.twitter.com/ogJcySZYnr
— Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) August 5, 2025
The meetings also serve to prepare for a visit by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, for which no date has been announced.
Canada has said the Mexico talks would focus on economic growth, security and trade, according to AFP.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in a post on X stated: “Canada and Mexico are close partners that are united by decades of diplomatic, economic and security cooperation. Today, Minister @fp_champagne joined me in Mexico City for a productive meeting with President Claudia Sheinbaum, @claudiashein, to reaffirm the strength of our bilateral relationship.”
Canada and Mexico are close partners that are united by decades of diplomatic, economic and security cooperation. Today, Minister @fp_champagne joined me in Mexico City for a productive meeting with President Claudia Sheinbaum, @claudiashein, to reaffirm the strength of our… pic.twitter.com/nx3iWDBwtf
— Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) August 5, 2025
“I also met with Foreign Secretary de la Fuente, @SRE_mx. These discussions with the President and members of her government advanced key shared priorities in terms of economic growth, security and trade diversification,” she added.
Trump has accused the United States’ neighbours of not doing enough to stem the flow of undocumented migrants and fentanyl across their borders.
Ebrard said a review of the USMCA trade agreement will begin in January 2026, according to AFP.
