Canadian Ministers Meet Claudia Sheinbaum to Address Commercial Matters and Strengthen Trade Ties
The meetings took place on August 5–6, 2025
This week, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne visited Mexico City for high-level discussions with President Claudia Sheinbaum and Mexican officials. The meetings, held at the National Palace on August 5 and 6, focused on reinforcing bilateral cooperation under the framework of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
The visit came amid rising trade tensions with the United States, which recently imposed a 35% tariff on Canadian goods outside CUSMA. In contrast, Mexico secured a 90-day reprieve from similar tariffs after direct talks between Sheinbaum and U.S. President Donald Trump.
During the meetings, Anand and Champagne emphasized shared priorities such as:
- Strengthening resilient supply chains
- Enhancing port-to-port trade infrastructure
- Expanding collaboration in artificial intelligence and the digital economy
- Deepening energy and security cooperation
President Sheinbaum ruled out the need for a separate bilateral trade agreement with Canada, reaffirming that CUSMA remains the cornerstone of North American trade. “We have the trade deal with the United States, Canada and Mexico… There is no need,” she stated in her August 6 press conference.
Both sides agreed to develop a joint work plan to advance economic growth and trade diversification. The meetings also laid the groundwork for an upcoming visit by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose date is yet to be confirmed.
In summary, the two-day diplomatic engagement reinforced Canada-Mexico relations, signaling a united front in navigating regional trade challenges and fostering long-term economic collaboration.
Source: Novedades
