Sheinbaum says Mexico will not sign USMCA deal affecting sovereignty

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday that her government will not sign any agreement with the US that affects Mexico’s sovereignty, as negotiations on the North American trade agreement continue.

“We are not going to sign anything that affects our sovereignty,” Sheinbaum said at a news conference, outlining Mexico’s position in talks on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, known as T-MEC in Spanish and USMCA in the US.

The US decided to negotiate separately with Mexico and Canada rather than bringing the three partners together at a single negotiating table, she added.

Sheinbaum said Mexico is conducting its discussions with Washington and is not involved in issues between the US and Canada.

The negotiations are focused on several issues, including US tariffs on Mexican steel, aluminum and automobiles, with Mexico seeking better conditions for its exports and opposing additional tariffs on key sectors of its economy.

Sheinbaum stressed that Mexico is willing to address issues related to trade and economic cooperation as long as they do not compromise its sovereignty.

She cited areas such as intellectual property and the recognition of certain US drug patents through Mexico’s health regulator as examples of issues that can be negotiated.

She ruled out, however, accepting conditions that would undermine Mexico’s ability to make decisions independently.

Despite the talks, Sheinbaum reiterated Mexico’s interest in preserving the trade agreement between all three North American countries.

“We obviously want the three countries to continue in a trade agreement. It benefits all three,” she said.

The T-MEC took effect in 2020, replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement and establishing the framework governing trade among Mexico, the US, and Canada.

The negotiations come amid broader trade tensions between Washington and its North American partners, with tariffs and market access remaining central issues in relations between the three countries.