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USMCA Progress Tied to US Global Trade Talks; Tariffs Decision Looms
🇲🇽 Mexico /Economy & Trade

USMCA Progress Tied to US Global Trade Talks; Tariffs Decision Looms

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Advances in the USMCA trade agreement depend not only on negotiations between Mexico, the US, and Canada but also on the US's broader trade dialogues with other countries.
  • Mexico's Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard anticipates a decision from the US regarding potential tariffs on 16 countries, including Mexico, due to overcapacity in production.
  • Ebrard will attend a G20 meeting on innovation in North America, aiming to boost technological competitiveness against Asian nations.

Mexico's Economy Secretary, Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon, stated that progress within the framework of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is influenced not only by direct negotiations among the three member nations but also by the United States' wider trade discussions with other global partners. Ebrard explained that the timeline for resolving certain USMCA-related issues, particularly concerning tariffs, is dictated by the U.S. administration's broader diplomatic and trade engagements.

The times of that negotiation are not determined by our progress with the United States, but by the dialogue of the United States and its negotiations with many countries.

— Marcelo Ebrard CasaubonExplaining the external factors influencing USMCA negotiations and tariff decisions.

Ebrard highlighted that the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is taking time to decide on the imposition of tariffs against countries identified as having excess production capacity. He anticipates that a decision regarding these potential tariffs, which could affect 16 nations including Mexico, might be announced in August. These potential tariffs are in addition to those already announced concerning forced labor practices.

It is very likely that the decision of the Donald Trump government against the 16 countries, including Mexico, to which it could impose tariffs, in addition to those announced for forced labor, will be announced this August.

— Marcelo Ebrard CasaubonAnticipating a potential US decision on tariffs related to production overcapacity.

Looking ahead, Ebrard confirmed his attendance at a meeting of G20 Economy Ministers and Central Bank Governors in North Carolina, an event hosted by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The focus of this meeting will be "innovation in North America," a critical area Ebrard believes the region must prioritize to enhance its global competitiveness.

Yes, yes I will attend. Secretary Lutnick invited me. And it is focused on exactly what we have just seen, which is called innovation in North America.

— Marcelo Ebrard CasaubonConfirming attendance and the theme of the upcoming G20 meeting.

Ebrard expressed concern that North American countries have lagged behind Asian nations in technological advancement. He pointed out that countries like China, South Korea, and others have significantly improved their technological standing, moving from lower ranks to leading positions. Ebrard stressed that accelerating innovation across North America, including Mexico, is essential for the region's future prosperity and economic strength.

North America has to move forward on this issue because Asian countries have managed to be at the forefront of technology... So, in North America, why didn't the same happen?

— Marcelo Ebrard CasaubonHighlighting the need for North America to increase its technological competitiveness.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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