The North American business giant drops the bomb
Just when we thought that the most tense thing between Mexico and the United States would be deciding which taqueria is more authentic, the United States Chamber of Commerce launches a criticism that sounds like a corporate ultimatum. On the eve of the review of the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (TMEC) of 2026, the organization released the report that no one asked for but everyone expected: the Mexican treasury, according to them, is behaving like that friend who always “forgets” his wallet. Neil Herrington, the vice president for the Americas, did not mince words and accused the Tax Administration Service (SAT) of applying “coercive and abusive practices” against American companies. Basically, the message is: “either they fix the fiscal mess or this is going to get ugly.”
But not everything is the SAT, oh no. The complaint comes in combination. Herrington also said that the recent constitutional reforms in Mexico are the equivalent of putting a lock on judicial independence and regulatory autonomy. In Christian: according to the Chamber, the rules of the game are changing in the middle of the game and in a way that scares investors, who are already more nervous than influencers without WiFi. Key elements such as transparency and protection of your investments — the bread and butter of any serious trade agreement — would be at risk.
It’s not (just) personal, it’s business: millions on the table
And so that you do not think that it is a baseless tantrum, the manager released the numbers that hurt: the TMEC supports more than 13 million jobs in the United States and is the support of more than 100 thousand small and medium-sized companies that depend on trade with Mexico. Millennial translation: if the investment climate in the region cools, the blow to North America’s economic security would be on the level of running out of avocado for toast. It is not a minor issue.
The catalog of complaints, however, is like a buffet of non-compliance. According to the report, Mexico has failed the trade pact in key sectors such as agriculture, energy, digital commerce, intellectual property and financial services. Although, to be fair (something this narrator rarely is), the House also criticized Canada for its messes with dairy and digital trade, and even dared to criticize the tariff policy of the Trump era for going against free trade. In other words, it was “everyone is failed” but with a suit and tie.
Faced with this panorama that seems more complicated than understanding the terms and conditions of an app, the call of the Chamber of Commerce is clear: the United States must promote a “transparent and orderly” review of the USMCA. The 2026 review is not just another procedure; It is the moment when the future of regional economic integration will be decided, especially with the specter of Donald Trump suggesting that the treaty could expire if it is not renegotiated. In other words, a season of negotiations is coming that is more intense than a marathon of streaming series, and with much more at stake.
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