Day 610 — Mexico: ~85% of USMCA Exports to Be Exempt from Forced-Labor U.S. Tariffs; Round 2 Trade Talks Set for June 16

On June 3, 2026, Mexico's Economy Ministry confirmed that approximately 85% of Mexican exports qualifying under USMCA rules of origin would be exempt from a proposed 10% U.S. tariff linked to a U.S. forced-labor enforcement investigation targeting certain sectors. Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard confirmed the figure at a press conference and also called on Canada to join the bilateral review talks ahead of the July 1, 2026 USMCA formal review deadline, framing it as a trilateral obligation. Ebrard confirmed that a second formal round of Mexico-U.S. trade talks was scheduled for June 16–17 in Washington, D.C., with agriculture, labor standards, and 'level playing field' issues — including the China-origin investment framework — on the agenda. The June 3 announcement was seen as a significant concession from the U.S. side, confirming that most USMCA-compliant trade flows would continue unaffected. On a separate track, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (DHS Secretary) testified before the House National Security Committee on June 3 that Sheinbaum's government had been 'much more cooperative' on organized crime than the previous administration — including joint seizures, arrests, and operations — in remarks reported by Crónica and Tribuna as a notable U.S. acknowledgment ahead of the Round 2 talks.