Mexico, the United States and Canada will hold a virtual meeting on July 1 to define the future of the T-MEC. Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard and President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that each country will present its position on extending the treaty that day.
The virtual meeting will mark the formal start of the review of the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada. Each country will present its position, with options including an automatic extension for 16 years or a 10-year period with periodic reviews.
Marcelo Ebrard, after meetings in Washington this week, rejected that the United States plans to abandon the agreement. “If that were wanted, we would not be in these conversations,” he said. The next in-person round will take place in Mexico City on July 20.
Claudia Sheinbaum clarified that July 1 does not mean the end of the treaty, but a change in the review process. The T-MEC will remain in force at least until 2036, unless a country withdraws.
The teams have discussed rules of origin, automotive and agricultural sectors, as well as steel and aluminum trade. Mexico seeks to extend the agreement for the maximum possible period.