Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praised Mexico as a strong trade partner in North America but acknowledged concerns about Chinese investment. He discussed this at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, highlighting the need to address these issues for future growth in the region.
Trudeau emphasized Mexico’s role in advancing Canadian and North American worker priorities in recent trade talks. However, he noted that concerns about Chinese investment in Mexico must be addressed to maintain North America’s competitiveness.
His remarks followed Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s suggestion that Mexico should not be included in trade talks unless it matched Canadian and U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods. Ford’s comments stemmed from fears that Mexico was allowing Chinese companies to bypass trade rules.
Trump also raised similar concerns, accusing Mexico of helping Chinese businesses exploit trade agreements like CUSMA. While Canada imposed tariffs on Chinese products, Mexico has not yet followed suit, increasing tensions.
Trudeau acknowledged the challenge of working with a potential second Trump presidency. He expressed hope that through open dialogue, North America could continue to create opportunities and grow despite these trade tensions.
