Mexico rejects claims of separate U.S. trade deal, reaffirms support for CUSMA

Mexico is not seeking a separate bilateral trade agreement with the United States that would exclude Canada, Mexican Foreign Affairs Secretary Roberto Velasco Álvarez said Friday, reaffirming his country's commitment to the trilateral Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

Speaking alongside Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand at a joint news conference in Ottawa, Álvarez said Mexico remains committed to maintaining the existing three-country trade pact. He said ongoing bilateral meetings with the United States should not be interpreted as an effort to sideline Canada.

The comments come ahead of a third round of bilateral talks between Mexico and the United States scheduled for next week. Canada has not yet begun comparable official negotiations with Washington, but Álvarez said Mexico expects to participate in trilateral discussions when the appropriate time comes.

Anand echoed those remarks, saying Canada and Mexico are currently discussing different issues with the United States. She said the separate bilateral discussions do not change both countries' support for the CUSMA framework.