In nod to Trump, Mexico vows to import more from US

President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico announced on Friday that her country intends to increase imports from the United States, potentially at the expense of other nations. This move aims to address the US trade deficit, a matter of concern for her predecessor Donald Trump. In 2022, Mexico's exports to the United States far outweighed its imports, resulting in a US$197 billion deficit in Mexico's favor last year.

Sheinbaum noted that Mexico already imports more goods and services from the US than any other country and pledged to do more to reduce this imbalance. The leftist president's comment on Trump's trade deficit grievances arrives as her administration seeks to persuade Washington to lower tariffs on various Mexican products. Mexico and the US are partners in a free trade agreement that has been in jeopardy since Trump's return to the White House last year.

Despite their ongoing trade war, Sheinbaum expressed that her government is making progress with Washington on reducing tariffs. Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard is scheduled to travel to Washington next week to continue these negotiations.