US-Mexico USMCA talks delayed as Trump focuses on Xi's Washington visit

The scheduled fourth round of USMCA talks between the United States and Mexico has been cancelled without a replacement date, according to Mexican Undersecretary Luis Rosendo Gutiérrez. He explained that President Donald Trump has placed the upcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping, beginning Thursday in Washington, and a G20 trade ministers meeting led by USTR Jamieson Greer ahead of the bilateral session. Sources say the Trump administration cited "logistical reasons" for the postponement, marking the third shift after earlier September timelines.

Mexico is seeking to cut Section 232 tariffs, proposing steel duties drop from 50% to 25% and auto duties from 25% to 15%, while the United States is pressing for stronger cybersecurity safeguards on Asian, especially Chinese, investments. The cancellation stalls talks on new rules of origin, sectoral tariff cuts, and cybersecurity provisions that affect Mexican industries such as steel, autos, aluminum and raw materials.

Greer previously praised Mexico's pragmatic approach, and Trump hopes to finalize an agreement before the November midterms. A recent phone call between Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was described as productive, though details remain undisclosed, and Sheinbaum continues to defend the pact's importance for Mexico's trade shield.