US and Mexico Open Bilateral Trade Talks Excluding Canada

U.S. and Mexican negotiators meet this Tuesday for a three-day summit aimed at revising North American trade terms, a session marked by the conspicuous absence of Canada. The talks follow the U.S. decision to exit the existing pact on July 1, effectively starting a ten-year countdown for the agreement’s dissolution.

Editorial·July 21, 2026·reads: 1,348

US and Mexico Open Bilateral Trade Talks Excluding Canada

Industry groups are applying pressure on the Trump administration to preserve the trilateral framework that sustains $1.6 trillion in annual trade. Despite the current diplomatic friction, Mexico’s new ambassador, Roberto Lazzeri, remains optimistic that a replacement deal can be secured by the end of the year. The primary objective for Mexico is to dismantle the 25% tariff on automobiles and the 50% levies on steel and aluminum that have hampered cross-border manufacturing.

Washington’s current stance remains aggressive, particularly regarding Ottawa. The U.S. recently imposed tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods in response to retaliatory measures from the Canadian government. This ongoing clash has effectively sidelined Canada from the current round of negotiations, leaving the U.S. and Mexico to navigate the future of regional economic security alone.