The United States acknowledged Mexico's progress in fighting piracy and protecting intellectual property. In the 2026 Special 301 Report, Mexico moved from the Priority Watch List to the Watch List. The shift results from substantial actions against digital piracy.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released its annual Special 301 Report 2026, highlighting Mexico's efforts on intellectual property. The country was removed from the Priority Watch List and placed on the Watch List after implementing measures against digital piracy, according to the report.
Ahead of the T-MEC review, both governments intensified dialogue on criminal enforcement, border surveillance, and online piracy. The report notes that Mexico has worked on possible amendments to the Ley Federal de Derecho de Autor to better address online piracy, along with regulatory adjustments and public commitments to improve law enforcement.
While the USTR deems these actions sufficient for the status change, it keeps Mexico under watch due to ongoing challenges. It specifically warns about the need for more effective enforcement against digital piracy and trade in counterfeit goods.
The report annually assesses Washington's trading partners on intellectual property rights protection and global anti-piracy efforts.
