US and Mexico Seek Interim Trade Deal Before Midterms

The United States and Mexico are accelerating bilateral trade negotiations as the USMCA review proceeds without Canada, with officials seeking an interim agreement before the U.S. midterm elections and a broader deal by year-end. Mexico is pressing for relief from U.S. Section 232 and Section 301 tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles, arguing that unilateral duties disrupt integrated North American supply chains and hold up investment. The United States is seeking stronger North American content requirements for tariff-free vehicles and measures to prevent Chinese goods and companies from using Mexico to access the U.S. market. Officials from both countries describe the talks as making progress, with another round scheduled for late September, while Mexico’s large trade surplus with the United States and domestic economic pressures add urgency. Mexican officials say the economies are deeply interconnected, but the outcome remains uncertain as both sides weigh tariff concessions against supply-chain and market-access demands.