Sheinbaum expects agreement on tariffs; Economy and Finance group will remain in the US

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum hopes to reach an agreement with her US counterpart Donald Trump on Friday over the threat of 25% tariffs on Mexican exports.

"By Friday we would need to be reaching important agreements. I would be, if necessary, looking for another phone call with President Trump, whatever it takes to reach an agreement," said the president during her usual morning press conference.

March 4 marks the deadline that Sheinbaum agreed with Trump to avoid the imposition of 25% tariffs on Mexico. Under that agreement, her government sent 10,000 soldiers to the common border to stop drug trafficking.

Mexican Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard met last Thursday in Washington with the newly appointed head of the United States Trade Ministry, Howard Lutnick.

Sheinbaum said that both officials agreed to "continue working this week to be able to establish agreements," and that there are teams from the Ministries of Economy and Finance in Washington.

US asked Mexico to impose tariffs on China

Amid those negotiations, Bloomberg reported that the United States asked Mexico to impose tariffs on China.

Sheinbaum refused to confirm this version and said that her government is seeking to prioritize the relationship and trade agreement with the United States, the destination of more than 80% of Mexican exports.

The president recalled that her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador , "imposed tariffs on countries where we do not have trade agreements."

"With China, for example, we do not have a free trade agreement. There are other Asian countries with which we do not have trade agreements either. So, that is part of what is being worked on," he said.

Both Trump and Canadian officials have accused Mexico of being the gateway for Chinese products into the North American region.

Sheinbaum has previously rejected these reports and has indicated that she will present the United States and Canada with a plan to replace imports from China in the North American region.

"The issue is to reach an agreement that allows us to protect and guarantee that there are no tariffs between our countries. Let the trade agreement continue and start the review of the trade treaty, which is scheduled for 2026 and can begin now," he said.

Under current rules, the free trade agreement between Mexico, the United States and Canada must be reviewed by the three partners in 2026.

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