Mexico City, Mexico — President Claudia Sheinbaum says Mexico has preferential status over other countries due to a good U.S. relationship. Sheinbaum says Mexico is respected by the United States and the entire world thanks to the relationship her administration maintains with President Donald Trump’s government.
She says the two have a relationship of respect, coordination and collaboration that allows Mexico to enjoy preferential status over other nations. Therefore, dialogue between the two countries will continue.
“Today it is very important to say that Mexico is respected by the United States and the entire world. And this relationship of respect that we have built with President Trump, which is based on open dialogue, collaboration, coordination, and respect, has allowed us to have a preferential status compared to other countries today,” she stated.
She said the good relationship allowed Mexico to avoid being subject to the additional tariffs announced April 2 by President Donald Trump.
“In Mexico’s case there are no additional tariffs and that’s good for the country. Although some don’t want to acknowledge it, it has to do with the good relationship we’ve built between the Mexican government and the United States government, which is based on respect.
“Respect for our sovereignty, collaboration, coordination, but with respect for Mexico, for Mexicans, and for national sovereignty. And that has allowed Mexico to avoid additional tariffs.
“It also has to do with the strength of our government, and as I always say, there are many people in Mexico. That’s the strength of our country, that’s what it’s all about, that there’s no division between the people and the government,” said Sheinbaum.
Sheinbaum says the Mexican government will continue its collaboration and coordination with the United States, particularly in matters of security and migration, within the framework of respect for the sovereignty of both nations.
“It is our responsibility to promote the country’s economic development and maintain a respectful relationship with all countries in the world. And in this capacity, we have achieved this preferential treatment with the United States government. This has been a respectful relationship, one of constant communication and dialogue. This is what we have always put on the table,” she stated.
He reported that, according to what was published by the White House, the agreement reached with President Trump on March 6 was respected, under which products within the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) enter the U.S. market tariff-free.
“In relation to the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States and Canada continue to be eligible to enter the U.S. market under these preferential terms. However, all goods from Canada or Mexico that do not qualify as originating under the USMCA are currently subject to an additional 25 percent ad valorem tariff,” it read.
In response, she pointed out that companies wishing to export without paying tariffs must comply with the USMCA, which establishes an origin clause, meaning that the products or their contents must be predominantly produced in Mexico.
She explained that it was also established that if the executive orders related to fentanyl and immigration are rescinded, products outside the USMCA will be subject to a 12 percent tariff rather than a 25 percent tariff.
“Should the existing IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1997) fentanyl and immigration orders be rescinded, USMCA-compliant goods will continue to receive preferential treatment, while non-USMCA-compliant goods would be subject to a 12 percent reciprocal tariff.
“That is, if it’s the USMCA, it’s zero percent. If it’s not the USMCA and conditions regarding fentanyl are improved, the ‘most favored nation’ tariff would be reduced from 25 percent to 12 percent under the ‘most favored nation’ category,” she explained.
Regarding the tariffs imposed on the automotive, steel, and aluminum industries, Sheinbaum said that talks will continue with the United States to ensure Mexico achieves better conditions, given the close integration of automotive companies in both countries.
“What was published for Mexico and Canada? ‘In the case of automobiles that qualify for preferential tariff treatment under the USMCA, importers of those automobiles may submit documentation to the Secretary identifying the amount of U.S. content in each model imported into the United States.’
“In other words, what they’re saying is that they will be discounted for the part that was manufactured in the United States,” she explained, referring to the U.S. President’s executive order issued on March 26.
Sheinbaum said that in addition to continuing talks with the United States, she will also accelerate Plan Mexico to strengthen the national economy.
“We have a plan. So, the plan to strengthen the national economy and the well-being of the Mexican people is a plan we’ve been developing and is linked to Plan Mexico. In any case, we’re going to accelerate many of the actions of Plan Mexico,” she stated.
Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon emphasized that President Claudia Sheinbaum’s negotiation strategy with the United States is working, giving Mexico preferential treatment, unlike other economies around the world.
“This is the reality we’re in. We’re going to consolidate this position. Our President is managing a strategy that addresses many issues simultaneously to achieve these results and maximize Mexico’s comparative advantages.
“This is a very important advantage today because it makes things better done here than in other parts of the world,” he emphasized.
He emphasized that the United States has trade agreements with 14 countries around the world and the only one that didn’t have tariffs was the USMCA, which gave Mexico a 0 percent tariff.
The agreement remains in place, protecting more than 10 million jobs that depend on it and maintaining ongoing dialogue with the U.S.
“This deal has been achieved thanks to the President’s strategy. It’s a great achievement. I would say that from the perspective that when this started, very recently, there weren’t going to be any exceptions,” he added.
He reported that the key sectors of the Mexican economy that avoided tariffs were the agri-food sector, electronics manufacturing, electrical manufacturing;,hemicals, clothing and footwear, medical devices and pharmaceuticals and machinery and equipment.
On the subject of tariffs on the automotive, steel, and aluminum industries, he emphasized that the goal is to achieve better conditions for other countries in the next 40 days.
