Sheinbaum-Carney Phone Call Aligns Mexico and Canada on CUSMA Review; Mexico Nominates Economist Lazzeri as New U.S. Ambassador to Lead USMCA Negotiations

On April 24, 2026, President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held a bilateral phone call to coordinate positions ahead of the July 1, 2026 CUSMA/USMCA joint review — the most consequential trade renegotiation trigger in the agreement's history. According to the Canadian Prime Minister's Office readout, the leaders agreed to work in 'close coordination to address shared economic priorities and challenges, and deliver greater certainty, security, and prosperity for their peoples.' They highlighted progress under the Canada-Mexico Action Plan on maritime corridors, cross-border trade, and innovation collaboration. Carney welcomed Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard's upcoming trade mission to Canada and praised the Team Canada Trade Mission to Mexico earlier in 2026 that produced 20+ new commercial partnerships and agreements. The leaders also discussed regional issues, including the humanitarian situation in Cuba, and looked ahead to the FIFA World Cup 2026 — projected to contribute USD $2 billion to the Canadian economy as a tri-national co-host. Separately, Sheinbaum had announced on April 23 the nomination of Roberto Lazzeri Montaño — head of Nafin-Bancomext (Nacional Financiera and Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior) and former chief of staff to Finance Secretary Ramírez de la O — as Mexico's next ambassador to the United States. The technically-oriented Lazzeri appointment reflects a strategic shift: Sheinbaum is prioritizing economic and trade expertise over political profile for the Washington post during the critical USMCA renegotiation window. Mexico is assembling a multidisciplinary USMCA negotiating team with specialists in agribusiness, advanced manufacturing, financial services, semiconductors, and telecommunications — reinforcing that the July 1 review will engage substantively on rules of origin, Chinese investment screening in Mexico, and energy market access. Lazzeri requires U.S. government agrément and Mexican Senate approval before taking office, replacing AMLO-era ambassador Esteban Moctezuma. The first official bilateral USMCA negotiating round between USTR Greer and Secretary Ebrard is set for the week of May 25 in Mexico City; a trilateral round with Canada will follow.