Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney will hold brief meetings during the FIFA 2026 World Cup draw in Washington this Friday. While speculation surrounds potential economic talks on tariffs and the T-MEC review, the Canadian government confirms the focus will be solely on football. Business leaders from all three countries urge strengthening the trade agreement amid expiration threats.
The FIFA 2026 World Cup draw, scheduled for Friday, December 5, in Washington, will bring together the leaders of Mexico, the United States, and Canada as tournament hosts. Sheinbaum confirmed her Thursday travel to attend the event and possible brief meetings with Trump and Carney. However, Carney's office clarified that no trade topics will be discussed, focusing solely on the football competition, according to Minister Dominic LeBlanc in a Mexico City interview.
Despite this, analysts highlight opportunities to address economic issues. Mexico has received U.S. extensions on tariffs for metals, vehicles, and parts, positioning it better than Canada, which faces a longer list on energy, potash, steel, aluminum, and automobiles. Trump threatened to let the T-MEC expire and seek a new deal, emphasizing auto tariffs to boost U.S. production.
The T-MEC, with its 2026 review scheduled, is central. Business associations like Mexico's Mexican Business Council, U.S. Business Roundtable, and Canada's Business Council urged accelerating negotiations to preserve free trade and deepen economic security cooperation. Since its entry into force, it has boosted cross-border activity, employment, and competitiveness. Former Finance Secretary Jaime Serra Puche warned that energy will be a delicate point.
Other potential topics include regional integration in semiconductors, border security, and competition from China. In Mexico, LeBlanc met with Marcelo Ebrard to plan a February trade mission focused on clean energy and critical minerals, strengthening Mexico-Canada ties without upsetting Trump. Canada is ready to resume talks on steel and aluminum tariffs, frozen since October over an Ontario anti-tariff announcement.
