MEXICO CITY — After years of negotiations, the North American Free Trade Agreement has been officially replaced on July 1 by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement.
President Donald Trump has invited his Mexican counterpart, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, to visit Washington next week to strengthen the commercial ties between both nations.
Mexico’s secretary of foreign affairs, Marcelo Ebrard, said the meeting on July 8 and 9 will bring confidence to both countries.
Mexico’s economy has plummeted under the current administration, and the Mexican president expects a lift from the agreement.
Ebrard said the meeting is relevant not only as North America copes with the COVID-19 pandemic, but also as it faces an uncertain world.
Some analysts say the USMCA could favor Mexico as tensions between China and the U.S. grow. But others say Trump could eventually use the treaty to push Mexico on issues like immigration and security.
This will be the first time both leaders meet face to face. López Obrador has kept a close dialogue with President Trump, particularly on issues such as trade, oil, migration, security and the coronavirus pandemic.
López Obrador had previously stated that he wants to thank President Trump in person for providing ventilators during the current pandemic, as well as for backing up Mexico on its oil production and agreeing to negotiate trade.