MEXICO, December 9. President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico emphasized the importance of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) as the sole means to effectively compete with China. Speaking at an event in Nuevo Laredo, a border city with the United States, she stated, "This trade agreement [USMCA] is the only way to successfully confront economic and trade competition with China. North America must consolidate as an economic region, increasingly independent from imports from other regions of the world."
Sheinbaum highlighted that the economies of Mexico, the United States, and Canada account for 30% of the global GDP. She noted that if northern Mexico and southern U.S. states were considered as one entity, they would rank as the fourth-largest economy in the world.
Furthermore, Sheinbaum stressed the importance of cooperation among the three nations, stating, "There is no competition between us; on the contrary, we complement each other, allowing us to be one of the most vibrant and significant regions in the world." She also called for joint efforts to address humanitarian issues related to drug consumption and the flow of firearms from the U.S. into Mexico, asserting that violence remains a significant concern.
This discussion comes amid rising tensions, as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on all goods from Canada and Mexico on his first day in office, citing illegal immigration and drug smuggling as primary concerns. Mexican authorities have indicated they will respond reciprocally, warning of negative consequences for both economies.