Mexico and Canada announce a bilateral Action Plan, with a view to the USMCA
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney agreed on Thursday on an "action plan" to strengthen the bilateral relationship, amid uncertainty ahead of the planned review of the trade agreement between Mexico, the United States, and Canada (USMCA) by 2026.
After holding a meeting of more than two hours at the National Palace, both leaders expressed their optimism that the USMCA will prevail, because the North American region is "the most competitive in the world."
To contribute to this regional strength, Mexico and Canada established an "action plan, which will complement the review of the USMCA," Carney explained in a joint press conference after the meeting.
"Canada and Mexico complement each other's forces, especially in times of challenge and crisis (...) We are stronger together," said the Canadian president.
There is a "permanent dialogue" with the U.S.
Sheinbaum, for her part, expressed confidence that the USMCA "will remain" and maintained that "there is permanent dialogue with the United States Government."
"I am optimistic, not only out of conviction, but because I believe that the trade agreement (…) will prevail,” she stressed, pointing to the recent publication by the United States of the call for public consultations prior to the review of the USMCA.
Asked about the possibility that US President Donald Trump may try to divide Mexico and Canada in the negotiations, both Sheinbaum and Carney expressed confidence that an “improved” USMCA will be achieved that benefits all three countries.
“I have every confidence, and I believe the president (Sheinbaum) also has it, that we will be able to find adjustments that can be made to strengthen competition and competitiveness in the region,” said Carney.
In addition, Sheinbaum said she was “convinced” that the “action plan” drawn up with Canada “strengthens” the USMCA “and will soon translate into direct benefits” for both societies,such as more investment opportunities, quality jobs, innovation, social justice, and prosperity.