Mexico’s Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard has indicated that the upcoming 2026 review of the USMCA trade agreement may emphasize bilateral negotiations over trilateral talks. He stated that while the U.S.–Mexico–Canada framework remains intact, many issues between Mexico and its partners naturally lend themselves to one-on-one discussions.
Ebrard pointed out that Mexico and the U.S. already deal with distinct trade matters—like Mexico’s exports of tomatoes compared to Canada’s lumber—making bilateral talks pragmatic. He also noted that with Canada, Mexico is managing contentious issues such as mining, though certain elements like dispute resolution will still require trilateral cooperation.
This shift reflects remarks by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who has suggested that Washington prefers bilateral components in the review process to directly tackle trade frictions with each partner. According to Ebrard, such an approach is “inevitable” within the USMCA’s broader architecture.
The formal review is slated for July 2026. It will mark six years since USMCA replaced NAFTA, and its outcome could reshape trade dynamics across North America.
