Key points from the third round
Between July 21 and 23, Mexico and the United States held the third round of negotiations towards the review of the T-MEC. The central issues were tariffs, labor mechanisms, regional content and rules for sectors such as automotive, steel and aluminum.
The president of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE), José Medina Mora, explained that it was proposed to modify the Rapid Response Labor Mechanism to make it reciprocal. Currently, the investigations only apply to companies in Mexican territory.
“It is necessary that the mechanism be applied equitably between both countries,” said Medina Mora.
Another point of discussion was the United States’ intention to increase American content in products made in the region. Mexico defends the concept of regional content and rejects changes that reduce trilateral integration.
The leader added that the seasonality of agricultural products and the impact of tariffs on steel, aluminum and the automotive industry were also reviewed. Some US automakers in Mexico face higher export costs compared to competitors from Japan, Korea and Europe.
For his part, the president of Coparmex, Juan José Sierra, expressed uncertainty regarding the possibility of annual reviews of the treaty, but valued the dialogue between the partners. He indicated that Mexico requires strengthening legal and energy security and the conditions to attract investment.
“It is positive that communication continues, but we need certainty for investors,” said Sierra.
Concamin pointed out that the joint statement between the Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, and the US trade representative, Jamieson Greer, confirms that both countries maintain an institutional work path.
