USMCA Second Round: Greer Meets Sheinbaum; Joint Statement Sets First Bilateral Negotiating Round for May 25

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer traveled to Mexico City on April 20 for a second round of USMCA preparatory discussions, meeting directly with President Sheinbaum and Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard. The USTR-Ebrard joint statement issued the same day directed both teams to advance technical discussions on economic security, complementary trade actions, strengthened rules of origin for industrial goods, critical minerals collaboration, and outstanding bilateral trade irritants. Crucially, it set the first official bilateral USMCA Review negotiating round for the week of May 25, 2026 in Mexico City. President Sheinbaum stated Mexico is actively seeking an early sectoral deal on steel, aluminum, and automobiles before the July 1 full-review deadline — saying 'obviously, we care a great deal about steel, aluminum, and automobiles' and 'we hope that a preliminary agreement can be reached.' Greer praised Sheinbaum's 'strong leadership in expanding U.S.-Mexico bilateral cooperation.' The timing underscored the stakes: USMCA-compliant imports now represent 86.3% of total U.S.-Mexico trade, and a formal review failure could trigger a 16-year sunset countdown. Canada is expected to join trilateral discussions in May.