And they’re off! What actually changes as USMCA talks officially begin

The US and Mexico set the priorities that will make or break negotiations.

The Big News Breakdown. Unpacking this week’s most important news.

The Mexican Economy Ministry and the US Trade Representative (USTR) have announced the first round of talks for the Joint Review of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Kick off is set for March 16.

But wait, haven’t Mexico and the US been talking for months at this point?

Especially with the Trump administration’s volleys of tariffs against Mexico since February of last year, Mexican functionaries have been in close and constant talks with their US (and Canadian) counterparts. Economy secretary Marcelo Ebrard is in Washington on a weekly basis.

This is all true, but with the official start to the review, two things will now change—one as expected, the other in ways that were recently revealed.