Trade Tensions with the U.S.: The Role of Mexico and Canada in the USMCA

Bilateral Relationship Between Canada and Mexico.

Bilateral relationship key for Canada.

Trade tensions with the U.S. persist.

On Tuesday, Canada’s Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Finance, Anita Anand and François-Philippe Champagne, met with Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, in Mexico City.

The meeting highlighted the importance of the bilateral relationship between both countries and their shared commitment to the USMCA agreement, according to the Efe agency.

The visit from the Canadian ministers comes after the recent imposition of tariffs by the U.S. on Canadian exports not covered under the USMCA.

At the same time, Washington granted Mexico a 90-day extension to continue negotiating a bilateral trade agreement.

Bilateral Relationship Between Canada and Mexico

#International | Canada tells @Claudiashein that its relationship with Mexico is of utmost importance https://t.co/76N6QB8mEy pic.twitter.com/f4T2Z8Gjyk

— Enfoque Noticias (@EnfoqueNoticias) August 6, 2025

Earlier this year, then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had expressed an intent to exclude Mexico from the USMCA in order to prevent Trump from imposing tariffs on Canadian exports.

In a press conference following the meeting, Anand emphasized the relevance of the bilateral relationship, stating: “The relationship between Canada and Mexico is of utmost importance to Canada.”

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She also emphasized the need for a stable process within the USMCA, which she described as key to economic security in North America.

When asked about Trudeau’s previous statements, Anand highlighted the strong relationship between Sheinbaum and Prime Minister Mark Carney, as demonstrated at the G7 Summit in June.

The Importance of the USMCA Agreement

Canada tells Sheinbaum that its relationship with Mexico «is of utmost importance»
https://t.co/u21r2GTRNs pic.twitter.com/F4zOznmQnc

— indicadoreconomico (@indicadorecono1) August 6, 2025

According to Anand, Mexico plays a central role in the global economy, and Canada aims to leverage that relevance.

Champagne, for his part, stressed that the ministers’ visit reflects the strong importance Canada places on Mexico.

“The message is clear: Mexico is key for us,” he stated.

Champagne also highlighted the economic impact of the relationship.

Conclusion

With a combined GDP close to four trillion dollars and populations totaling half that of the U.S., the relationship between Canada and Mexico presents a strategic opportunity in the face of Washington.

In this context, the ministers’ visit reinforces the idea that Canada seeks to strengthen its ties with Mexico despite ongoing trade challenges with the U.S.