Second USMCA Round in Washington Opens Decisive Week for Bilateral Energy Investment

Mexico's delegation, led by Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, arrives in Washington on June 16 for the second review round of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a process placing rules of origin for key industrial goods and the bilateral investment framework underpinning $1.6 trillion in annual trade flows under scrutiny, according to Enrique Quintana in El Financiero.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced on May 27 a three-round schedule: the first round took place May 28 and 29 in Mexico City, covering economic security and rules of origin for industrial goods; the second, June 16 and 17 in Washington, concentrates discussions on agriculture and fair competition. Bilateral trade accumulated $317.336 billion between January and April 2026. For Mexico's energy sector, the outcome carries concrete implications: steel and aluminum tariffs affect the cost of electricity transmission projects, pipelines, and storage infrastructure, while the legal stability of the agreement is a precondition for binational private investment in renewable energy in northern Mexico.

Mexico's delegation also includes Altagracia Gómez, coordinator of the Business Advisory Council, and Ambassador Roberto Lazzeri. Ambassador Jeff Goettman, USTR Deputy Representative, leads the U.S. team. The 50% U.S.-origin content requirement for vehicles is the central automotive chapter, but the USTR agenda's level-playing-field clause also covers energy services, access to natural gas infrastructure, and competitive conditions for private generators. Quintana reported on June 13 that Trump stated he does not know whether he will renew the agreement because, in his words, the United States is "doing much better." President Claudia Sheinbaum responded that both countries' economies are complementary.

A third round is scheduled for the week of July 20 in Mexico City. USMCA remains in force until 2036, and the outcome of the current review will define the regulatory framework for bilateral energy trade and investment over the next decade.

This article was drafted with artificial intelligence assistance from verified sources and reviewed by a human editor before publication.