Mexico seeks tweaks to CUSMA, not overhaul, with implications for agriculture
Mexico’s economy ministry consultations found businesses favor preserving CUSMA while improving its operation; outcome matters for agricultural exports, inputs and cross‑border supply chains ahead of the March 16 review.
Mexico’s economy ministry carried out consultations ahead of the long-awaited review of the Canada‑United States‑Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), convening 30 sector roundtables and distributing more than 500 surveys to companies, chambers and industry groups.
The consultations concluded that CUSMA, which replaced NAFTA, has fostered North American economic integration and strengthened the region’s global competitiveness. A majority of business respondents view the treaty as an asset to preserve, though they see room to improve how it operates.
The review is scheduled to begin on March 16. Deputy Minister for Industry and Commerce Vidal Llerenas said the key challenge is to implement the agreement more effectively, modernize it and make it more inclusive. These objectives have direct relevance for the agricultural sector, which depends on predictable trade rules for exports, imports of seeds, fertilizers and farm machinery, and smooth cross‑border logistics.
President Claudia Sheinbaum is seeking a successful review to support Mexico’s economy amid U.S. trade uncertainty and business worries about domestic reforms, including a judicial overhaul. For farmers and agribusiness exporters, clarity from the review could reduce risks to market access and supply chains.
The consultations also noted that former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed mixed views on CUSMA, at times favoring new bilateral deals. Participants warned the review could either bolster or undermine the trilateral commerce that underpins trillions of dollars in cross‑border trade accumulated over three decades.
Overall, the consultations indicate business preference for tweaking and strengthening CUSMA rather than pursuing a major renegotiation. For agriculture, that points to targeted fixes in customs procedures, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and rules affecting trade in agricultural inputs and processed food.