Mexico begins talks with US to avert Trump’s 30% trade tariffs

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has confirmed that her government has initiated negotiations with the United States to prevent the imposition of new trade tariffs.

Mexico hopes to reach an agreement that would cancel the planned 30% tariff set by U.S. President Donald Trump, which was scheduled to take effect on August 1, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Sheinbaum said a Mexican government working group travelled to the U.S. on July 11 for talks with American officials.

“Our letter clearly expressed the desire to reach a deal to avoid tariffs. Despite the scheduled start date of August 1, we believe, based on yesterday’s discussions, that an agreement can be reached to secure better terms,” she stated.

The Mexican leader urged citizens to remain calm amid the ongoing situation.

This follows a pattern of trade tensions initiated by Trump, who announced the tariffs on July 12, 2025, targeting both Mexico and the European Union, citing the need for a “reciprocal” global trade landscape. The tariffs, part of Trump’s broader trade policy, were initially set at 25% for Mexico but escalated to 30% after earlier negotiations stalled. A one-month suspension of tariffs was secured on February 3, after Mexico committed to deploying 10,000 National Guard troops to its northern border to address U.S. concerns over illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking. However, Trump reimposed the tariffs on March 4, claiming insufficient progress on these issues.  

Mexico’s government has consistently emphasised the importance of dialogue and cooperation to avoid escalating trade tensions. The country relies heavily on exports to the United States, with bilateral trade exceeding $600 billion annually, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau.  

By Khagan Isayev