
Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland expressed U.S. concerns regarding Mexico's trade policy related to China, deeming them "legitimate." Freeland mentioned that she has heard such worries from officials close to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, as well as from business leaders and members of the Biden administration. She stated that she understands these concerns and acknowledges that Mexico may not be acting in the same manner as Canada and the United States in its economic relationship with China.
In a recent statement, Freeland indicated that Canada aligns with U.S. economic policies by implementing 100 percent tariffs on electric cars and a 25 percent tax on steel and aluminum from China, following the guidelines set by the Biden administration. Freeland added that Canada is the only country that shows complete alignment with the U.S. in economic policy towards China at this time.
To resolve the discrepancies, Freeland is expected to resume her role as a reference for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in discussions with the incoming U.S. administration. Mexico has argued that it is already taking measures by imposing tariffs to curb the flow of Chinese steel. For his part, the leader of Canada's largest province, Doug Ford, suggested that Mexico should match the tariffs imposed by the U.S. and Canada on Chinese imports or risk losing access to the global economy.
The USMCA trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada is scheduled for a joint review, and Trump has expressed his intention to renegotiate it. Ford proposes prioritizing a closer economic partnership by negotiating a bilateral free trade agreement between the U.S. and Canada.