Mark Carney, who is the former Bank of England governor, is going to Mexico this September.
It is expected that this mid-month visit will spark conversations. Rumors are that there will be discussion about the economy, climate change, and global cooperation. And the answer is not hard to see, as Mexico is definitely becoming an important player.
Will Carney’s trip bring interesting developments? Let us delve into the article to get into the details of this political news and these news headlines.
Why Is Carney Heading To Mexico?
Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit Mexico on September 18. It is rumored that it is happening as both countries are working to handle trade tensions with the United States.
U.S. President Donald Trump has placed tariffs on both Canada and Mexico and threatened more tariffs on these countries. Earlier this month, Trump also raised tariffs on Canadian goods that do not meet the CUSMA, which is the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement. He has raised tariff rules to 35%, while Mexico was temporarily spared.
This very different treatment is the reason that has raised questions.
Canada had hoped to reach a tariff deal by August 1, but Dominic LeBlanc, the minister for Canada-U.S. trade, said no workable agreement was possible. Meanwhile, Trump gave Mexico a 90-day extension on its current tariff rules, aiming to sign a new deal within that time.
Carney has said that while most Canadian trade with the U.S. is tariff-free, Canada needs to strengthen ties with other countries so it doesn’t depend too heavily on its southern neighbor.
Carney’s trip follows recent efforts by Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, who visited Mexico last week to restart economic talks with the country.
Canada and Mexico Aim to Change That
Although Canada and Mexico are both partners in the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), they have not worked as closely with each other as they have with the U.S. In past trade talks, both countries often focused more on their ties with Washington than with each other.
But recently, Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand met with President Claudia Sheinbaum in Mexico City.
Champagne said, “With Mexico, we are neighbours, but we could get to know each other better.” Anand added that both sides are exploring new “port-to-port trade routes.”
Meanwhile, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized Prime Minister Mark Carney for failing to secure trade deals with either the U.S. or Mexico. He argued Carney has shown “weakness” on the world stage, pointing to ongoing tariffs and even China’s tariffs on Canadian canola as proof.
Poilievre said, “Countries smell weakness. Mark Carney has been failing,”.
Is An Early CUSMA Review on the Way?
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s trip to Mexico is coming at a time when the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is getting closer to its scheduled review.
The deal, signed in 2018 and active since 2020, is set for review in July 2026.
For now, goods that follow CUSMA rules are safe from Trump’s 35% tariffs. But the U.S. president has still added extra import taxes on some Canadian products whether they fall under CUSMA or not, including:
- Softwood lumber
- Steel
- Aluminum
- Auto parts
Even though the official review is more than a year away, some worry it could be triggered earlier.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford warned that Trump might “pull the carpet out” and reopen the deal as early as this fall, saying Canada must be ready for tough talks.
However, Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc has tried to calm concerns, saying earlier this year he has “no reason to think” Trump will speed up the timeline.
Conclusion
Will Mark Carney’s mid-September trip to Mexico be a turning point for North American trade? This visit can open new doors for cooperation or simply highlight just how tough the road ahead might be.
But whatever happens, one thing is clear: the outcome of these talks is going to shape Canada–Mexico ties. Our eyes will all be on September 18 to see if Carney’s visit delivers more than just handshakes.
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FAQs
Q1: What is the relationship between Canada and Mexico?
Ans: Canada and Mexico are close partners that are united by decades of diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation.
Q2: What is the trade agreement with Mexico and Canada called?
Ans: The trade agreement with Mexico and Canada is called USMCA; U.S. – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Q3: Why is Trump putting tariffs on Canada and Mexico?
Ans: Trump has said the tariffs are intended to reduce the U.S.’s trade deficit with Canada and Mexico, force both countries to secure their borders with the U.S. against illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling, and promote domestic manufacturing in the United States.
