Key facts
- Mexico plans to increase imports from the U.S. and decrease imports from other countries.
- The move is part of the review of the USMCA trade agreement.
- President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the plan to address the U.S. trade deficit.
- Mexico's trade surplus with the U.S. was $102.6 billion in the first half of 2026.
- Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated Mexico and Canada will negotiate jointly.
- U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer expects provisional USMCA agreements by the end of 2026.
Mexico is considering increasing its purchases of U.S. goods and reducing imports from other nations as part of the ongoing review of the USMCA trade agreement. President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on Monday that the move is intended to address U.S. concerns about the bilateral trade deficit.
Sheinbaum explained that the United States has explicitly communicated its desire to narrow the trade imbalance. While Mexico remains focused on boosting its own exports, the president noted that the U.S. administration has been clear about wanting to reduce what Mexico sells into the U.S. market, partly by Mexico purchasing more from U.S. suppliers instead of other trading partners.
This potential shift in import patterns comes ahead of the fourth joint review negotiating round of the USMCA, scheduled for September 2026 in Washington. The bilateral trade surplus reached $102.6 billion in the first half of 2026, an increase from the previous year, despite some narrowing at certain points. Mexican merchandise exports to the U.S. rose 13% year-over-year to $298.2 billion in the first half of 2026, while imports from the U.S. increased by 16.6% to $195.6 billion.
Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has indicated that Mexico and Canada intend to negotiate jointly on the USMCA, rather than accepting separate bilateral terms dictated by Washington. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer expressed expectations for provisional agreements by the end of 2026, but acknowledged that complex issues like rules of origin, labor, and environmental commitments will likely extend into 2027. Greer emphasized the U.S. goal of strong rules of origin to incentivize North American production and prevent Mexico from being used as an export hub for third countries.