Mexico working on trade talks ahead of U.S. midterm elections-Xinhua - 新华网

MEXICO CITY, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Mexico is advancing talks with Washington to resolve issues related to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) on free trade before the U.S. midterm elections on Nov. 3, President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Wednesday.

At her daily press conference, Sheinbaum said Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard is continuing talks with U.S. officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson.

She added that regardless of the election outcome, "we are going to continue working with the United States. That work is not interrupted."

The midterm elections, which mark the midpoint of the U.S. president's term, are legislative elections for the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Sheinbaum said that while important progress has been made, no agreement has been reached on priority issues for Mexico, including the reduction of tariffs applied under Section 232 of U.S. trade law on steel, aluminum and the automotive industry.

Numerous issues identified by Washington as non-tariff barriers have been resolved, she said, stressing the negotiations have proceeded without any surrender of sovereignty and are focused on areas of common ground that can strengthen both nations.

In response to U.S. President Donald Trump's recent remarks on the possibility of finalizing an agreement, Sheinbaum urged "great patience and composure" throughout the talks.

The USMCA's periodic review process began on July 1, after the United States opted not to automatically extend the agreement, but instead proposed annual reviews over the coming decade. ■