Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call last week to tackle looming tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles. While no agreement was struck, Sheinbaum used the opportunity to lay out Mexico's arguments against the proposed import taxes.
"We are discussing the issue of tariffs on steel, aluminum and automotive products. We did not reach an agreement, but we are presenting arguments to prevent the import taxes from taking effect," Sheinbaum said at her regular morning press conference at the National Palace.
Drawing on trade data, she highlighted that Mexico actually runs a deficit on steel and aluminum, meaning the United States sends more of these metals to Mexico than it receives in return. This "trade imbalance," she noted, undermines the case for U.S. import duties.
To challenge the tariffs, Mexico is eyeing two key avenues: the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and World Trade Organization rules, specifically the "Most Favored Nation" clause that ensures equal treatment among WTO members.
On the environmental front, Sheinbaum also confirmed that Mexico's Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Alicia Barcenas, met with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials in San Diego. The talks focused on addressing sewage discharge from Tijuana into the Pacific and bolstering cross-border water clean-up efforts.
As global supply chains stay on edge and sustainability goals gain urgency, all eyes are on whether diplomatic pressure and trade mechanisms will avert a full-blown tariff standoff between two of North America's largest economies.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
