U.S. President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke by phone as the two countries continued negotiations on their trade agreement.
The call was described as “middling,” while new issues also came up. A U.S. official said the conversation was constructive, rejecting assessments that it had gone poorly.
Unresolved issues in trade talks
Washington and Mexico are seeking progress on outstanding issues ahead of the 2026 review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which governs economic relations in North America.
Mexican officials believe the parties are nearing solutions to some issues involving automobiles, steel and aluminum, agriculture, labor and economic security. The agenda also includes tariffs, rules of origin and the protection of strategic sectors.
New round of talks in Washington
The United States and Mexico are holding bilateral discussions before a broader review of the agreement that will also include Canada. The agreement, which entered into force in 2020, replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard held the latest official round of bilateral talks in Mexico City in July. The parties described the discussions as constructive and decided to continue negotiations.
The next official round of talks, which was postponed by one week, is scheduled to take place in Washington on September 28 and 29.
Trump: We are close to a perfect deal
Trump said Thursday that the United States and Mexico were very close to reaching a “perfect” trade agreement.
The U.S. administration wants changes to the rules governing trade imbalances, tariffs and supply chains in North America. Mexico is seeking to preserve its access to the U.S. market, while the outcome of the bilateral talks is expected to provide a basis for the broader review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
