Sheinbaum Reports Progress in US Trade Deal After 22 Calls with Trump

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced this Friday that negotiations for a trade agreement with the United States are close to being finalized. The news followed a phone conversation she had on Wednesday with President Donald Trump, marking their 22nd talk since January 2025. Sheinbaum shared that while a final agreement isn't yet in place, discussions are moving in a good direction, according to El País.

The most recent call focused exclusively on the points of the latest round of trade agreement negotiations. Sheinbaum was accompanied by Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco and Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard. The disclosure of this communication between the two leaders, initially reported by Politico.com, was confirmed by Sheinbaum, who explained that such high-level conversations are only made public when concrete progress is made. On this occasion, the president emphasized that other sensitive topics, such as security or the fight against drug trafficking—which have strained the bilateral relationship in recent months—were not discussed.

Tariffs and the Future of USMCA

The potential agreement aims to resolve differences surrounding tariffs that the United States maintains on Mexican products like automobiles, steel, and aluminum. These negotiations are vital for the bilateral economic relationship, especially as they occur in the week leading up to a new round of talks on the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, known as T-MEC in Spanish).

Although the president did not provide specific details, expectations are high for the impact that resolving these tariffs would have on the industry and trade of both countries. For Mexico, it represents the possibility of easing pressure on vital export sectors. For the United States, an agreement could mean more stable supply chains and potentially lower prices for consumers. As we've reported in this article, trade disputes directly affect economies. A strong trade relationship is always a relief, especially considering that the US economy has grown, but wages are still struggling against inflation.

Bilateral Relationship Under Strain

Despite commercial progress, the relationship between Mexico and the United States has faced its share of challenges. The United States has increased its pressure on Mexico to step up efforts in combating drug trafficking. However, Sheinbaum made it clear that this latest conversation with Trump did not include those topics, leaving security discussions for other forums. This distinction highlights the complexity of the bilateral agenda, where economic interests sometimes diverge from security concerns.

A recent example of this tension occurred in May, when a significant controversy arose over the alleged involvement of US agents in an anti-drug operation in Chihuahua, an event that led to an investigation by Mexico's Attorney General's Office. This situation caused significant public disagreements between President Sheinbaum and Chihuahua Governor Maru Campos, who allegedly allowed the CIA agents' intervention. The president has even ruled out a private meeting with Campos during her current tour, citing these "very important differences."

Government Tour and Political Framework

Sheinbaum's announcement about the trade agreement was made during a morning press conference in Guanajuato, as part of her national tour for her second Government Report. She was accompanied at the event by Guanajuato's PAN governor, Libia García, along with Interior Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez, and Security Minister Omar García Harfuch, as well as Marcela Figueroa, head of the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System. During this conference, officials presented a report highlighting a 75% decrease in intentional homicides recorded in Guanajuato, one of the country's historically most violent states.

Sheinbaum's tour will continue this Saturday in Chihuahua, another state governed by the PAN. The president's decision not to meet privately with Governor Maru Campos in this context of past frictions, even as the trade relationship with the US shows signs of rapprochement, reveals the different layers of Mexican internal and external politics. The internal political context in Mexico and the proximity of the midterm elections in the United States, although not directly discussed in the call, undoubtedly influence the dynamics of these high-level negotiations. A solid trade agreement could stabilize the regional economy during uncertain times and strengthen the position of both leaders.

Why it matters

The prospect of a trade agreement between Mexico and the United States is a positive signal for economic stability in North America. Resolving tariff disputes in key sectors like automotive and metallurgy could boost trade and investment, easing pressures on both economies. Maintaining focused and fluid communication between leaders, even with differences on other fronts like security, is essential for managing such an interconnected bilateral relationship and is vital for the well-being of millions of people.