A grounded flight turns Sheinbaum-Lutnick USMCA meeting virtual, but still ‘very useful’

With U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick unable to fly to Mexico City for a planned face-to-face with President Sheinbaum due to weather conditions, the two met virtually Wednesday to assess the progress of negotiations on the United States-Mexico-Canada free-trade agreement.

The call was reported to the media by Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard, who attended the meeting with his boss and his U.S. counterpart and will be in Washington, D.C, Thursday to follow up. 

Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard has been the face of the Mexican side during the USMCA renewal negotiations. His ongoing shuttle diplomacy continues tomorrow (Thursday) as he’ll be in Washington meeting with U.S. officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (right). (Marcelo Ebrard)

“The exchange was cordial, and I believe it will be very useful for the ongoing commercial negotiations with the United States,” Ebrard wrote on the social media site X.

During her regular morning press conference, Sheinbaum said it is in the best interests of Mexico, the United States, and Canada to maintain the USMCA and emphasized that Mexico’s objective is for the three countries to remain in a trade agreement.

Sheinbaum stressed that Mexico’s objective in the negotiations is to reduce tariffs on steel, aluminum and the automotive sector. 

“Besides considering them unfair, they are harming our economy,” she said. “Therefore, we want these tariffs lowered, and we also don’t want new tariffs, because the United States has indicated that another round of tariffs is coming for many countries around the world related to what they call “overcapacity.” 

The ongoing talks include the 54 non-tariff issues raised by the United States, including intellectual property, piracy, and pharmaceuticals, most of which have been resolved, although some remain, according to Sheinbaum.  

The meeting follows recent talks between Lutnick and Ebrard on September 2, during a G-20 ministerial meeting in North Carolina, where they discussed the USMCA negotiations.

Ebrard said he will be flying to Washington on Thursday to continue negotiations prior to the fourth bilateral round to review the USMCA, which will take place this month. 

With reports from Grupo Animal and Cronica

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