US-Mexico High-Level Meetings
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Mexico on September 3 and met with President Claudia Sheinbaum. Both leaders reaffirmed their strong partnership and confirmed cooperation on key issues including:
Security Cooperation Priority Areas:
- Dismantling drug cartels
- Combating fentanyl proliferation
- Addressing violence by international criminal organizations
- Ending illegal immigration
- Promoting economic prosperity and security
Both governments issued a joint statement that day, announcing the establishment of a new high-level consultation mechanism to regularly follow up on security cooperation efforts.
Current Status of US Tariff Measures
Since March 2025, the US has imposed a 25% additional tariff on Mexican-origin products to address illegal immigration and drug trafficking. However, products meeting USMCA (US-Mexico-Canada Agreement) rules of origin are exempt from additional tariffs.
Tariff Increase Developments:
- President Trump expressed intention to raise additional tariffs to 30%
- Leaders agreed to delay the increase by 90 days from August 1
- This meeting made no specific reference to tariff measures
USMCA Review Process Outlook
On September 3, House Ways and Means Committee members met with Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard in Washington to discuss USMCA.
Agreement Review Schedule:
- Agreement review scheduled for July 2026
- If all three countries agree, extension until July 2042
- If any country disagrees, annual reviews thereafter
A CSIS report from August 2025 analyzed that under the Trump administration, a simple extension agreement for the July 2026 review would be "the least likely outcome."
Expected Negotiation Focus:
- Raising regional content requirements for automobiles (currently 75%)
- Setting minimum US-origin material content standards
- Creating inward investment screening mechanisms targeting China
- Strengthening trilateral coordination on China policy