US Pleased With Mexico's Labor Response, Pushing on Express Shipment Provisions of USMCA

In a joint statement, Canada's trade minister, Mexico's economy minister and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said they reviewed USMCA committee work, noting progress and offering “recommendations for future work to maintain progress.”

In a background call with reporters May 18, senior USTR officials were careful not disclose specifics discussed during the meeting earlier that day, such as Canada's proposed digital services tax and tariff rate quota implementation. When asked about the committee's discussion on express shipments, an official said: “We would like to see a little more progress in Mexico on certain of those provisions and that’s what we highlighted to them in our meetings.”

The joint statement said the three “discussed our shared obligation to ensure the Agreement’s prohibition of the importation of goods produced by forced labor and recommitted to working closely to promote a fair, rules-based international trading system where products made with forced labor do not enter the trading system. The Parties commit to using the processes established by the Agreement and continuing their productive dialogue on these and other labor matters through an upcoming Labor Council meeting.”

Also on labor, a senior USTR official praised Mexico's collaboration on the first rapid response complaint, saying, “Mexico has demonstrated how well it can be used by both countries.”

The joint statement said they also exchanged views on “possible exploration” of trade-related climate change measures.

Trade deputies from all three countries will meet before the end of the year to assess progress on issues raised during this meeting, the statement said.