Background on Key Figures and Relevance
Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico’s Secretary of Economy, met with Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea. The meeting aimed to finalize negotiations on tariffs imposed by the Trump administration before the 2026 review of the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement).
Ebrard represents Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum at the APEC summit, which brings together 21 economies in the region, accounting for over 60% of global GDP and half of global trade. The U.S., represented by President Donald Trump, is one of these key economies.
Current Tariff Issues and Negotiations
Under the Trump administration, the U.S. imposed tariffs on Canada for products not complying with the USMCA due to perceived lack of cooperation on fentanyl and migration. Tariffs range from 35% for non-compliant Canadian products to 25% on light vehicles (excluding U.S. content) and 50% on Canadian steel, aluminum, and copper. These tariffs have strained relations between the two countries.
Negotiation Progress and Next Steps
According to a press release from Mexico’s Secretary of Economy, Ebrard and Greer reviewed the progress in Mexico-U.S. trade negotiations and agreed on subsequent steps to reach an agreement before the 2026 USMCA review.
Additional Meetings at APEC Summit
During the APEC summit, Ebrard also met with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. He previously held bilateral meetings with New Zealand’s Minister for Commerce and Investment Todd McClay and Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and Environment Grace Fu. In these meetings, Ebrard discussed enhancing bilateral economic relations and presented investment opportunities through Mexico’s Plan México.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the main figures involved in these negotiations? Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico’s Secretary of Economy, and Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative.
- What is the purpose of these negotiations? To finalize an agreement on tariffs before the 2026 USMCA review, addressing issues like fentanyl and migration concerns.
- What other meetings took place at the APEC summit? Ebrard met with Howard Lutnick (U.S.), Todd McClay (New Zealand), and Grace Fu (Singapore) to strengthen bilateral economic ties and promote investment opportunities in Mexico.
