USMCA Second Round of Technical Talks Scheduled for April 20 in Mexico City; Greer Traveling to Mexico

Mexico Business News reported on April 18 that a second round of USMCA review negotiations — the first having been initiated by Economy Secretary Ebrard and USTR Jamieson Greer on March 16 — is scheduled to begin April 20 in Mexico City, with Greer traveling to Mexico for sector-by-sector technical working sessions. Priority sectors for the April 20 round include steel and aluminum, automotive rules of origin, agriculture, and digital trade policy. Mexico's negotiating posture emphasizes reducing extra-regional dependencies (specifically Chinese components in supply chains), strengthening regional production, and securing exemptions from the remaining Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum affecting Mexican exports. The July 1, 2026 formal review deadline is widely expected to be extended via a framework agreement rather than completed in full, with substantive renegotiation extending into late 2026. Canada is expected to join trilateral discussions beginning in May. USMCA-compliant imports had surged to 86.3% of total US-Mexico trade as of February 2026, strengthening Mexico's position in the review talks.