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Mexico and US conclude trade talks without progress ahead of USMCA review
Mexico and the United States completed their second round of formal trade talks on Thursday without significant progress, as both nations prepare for a July USMCA review amid Trump's tariff pressures. Mexico's economy secretary said negotiators presented proposals on origin rules, economic security, agriculture, and automotive matters, while President Sheinbaum seeks substantial tariff reductions.
Quick Facts
Who
Marcelo Ebrard (Mexico Secretary of Economy)
What
Second round of formal trade negotiations concluded without major progress
When
Thursday (June 18-19, 2026)
Where
Washington (second round)
- Second round of formal trade negotiations concluded without major progress
- USMCA review scheduled to begin July 1
- Negotiators discussed origin rules, economic security, agriculture, and automotive industry
- Marcelo Ebrard (Mexico Secretary of Economy)
- Claudia Sheinbaum (Mexico President)
Mexico and the United States concluded their second round of formal trade negotiations on Thursday without significant progress, as tensions mount over tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump ahead of a July review of their trilateral trade agreement with Canada, the USMCA (known as T-MEC in Spanish). The bilateral discussions, held in Washington, were announced by Mexico's Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard, who stated that Mexican negotiators presented their "points of view" and "proposals" to US counterparts, though he did not provide specifics.
The talks addressed origin rules, economic security, agriculture, and the automotive industry. Despite Mexico having navigated most of the tariffs Washington implemented last year, Mexican products not covered by the USMCA face a 25% import tax, including mid-size and heavy trucks. Additional tariffs remain in place: 50% on steel and aluminum, and a 17% compensatory fee on Mexican tomatoes. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that her administration is working to ensure "these tariffs decrease significantly" and that the USMCA continues.
However, Trump cast doubt on the agreement's future during a Paris visit, stating "maybe we won't reach an agreement. I would prefer not to have the USMCA." The formal USMCA review will begin July 1 with a virtual meeting of representatives from all three countries. Mexico and Canada have both advocated for a 16-year extension of the agreement, which represents the most recent evolution of the North American Free Trade Agreement framework that has interconnected the three nations' economies since the early 1990s. A third round of negotiations is scheduled for July 20.
Why This Matters
The stalled trade talks signal escalating tension between two major trading partners just weeks before the formal USMCA review begins on July 1. Trump's public skepticism about the agreement's future threatens to destabilize a three-decade-old trade framework that underpins supply chains and commerce across North America. For businesses and workers, these negotiations directly affect tariff rates, market access, and the competitive landscape of continental trade—making the outcome of July's formal review critical to economic planning and employment in all three countries.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 18, 2026
WireSecond round of formal trade negotiations concluded in Washington without major progress
Jul 1, 2026
WireFormal USMCA review begins with virtual meeting of three-country representatives
Jul 20, 2026
WireThird round of negotiations scheduled