Mexico, US Advance Talks on Reopening Cattle Trade

President Claudia Sheinbaum met with Brooke Rollins, US Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), on Monday at Palacio Nacional to discuss the ongoing closure of the US border to Mexican cattle exports, imposed after the detection of the New World screwworm, shared the president during her morning press conference.

Prior to the meeting with the president, Julio Berdegué, Mexico’s Minister of Agriculture (SADER), and Secretary Rollins held talks on the priorities and challenges facing the agricultural sectors of both countries regarding animal health, trade and cooperation. They reviewed progress in the binational campaign against the screwworm, with Rollins commending the achievements made so far and highlighting the strong cooperation between the two nations, both at the political level and through their respective sanitary agencies.

Rollins told Reuters that the US government remains cautious about reopening the ports but believes that moment is approaching. “I want to have every confidence that we have overturned every stone, that we understand every nuance, that we are deploying every tool in the toolkit,” she said. The Secretary declined to specify a timeline for the reopening but confirmed she would discuss the issue later this week with senior US officials and President Trump.

Both ministers agreed on short-term priorities and actions that will guide the decision-making process on resuming cattle exports. Key topics included enhancing coordination on the screwworm eradication effort, strengthening animal health cooperation, and identifying new areas for collaboration as part of the upcoming review of the USMCA trade agreement.

Berdegué emphasized the importance of trust, certainty, and respect for established rules as guiding principles for a strong North American agri-food integration. He reiterated Mexico’s commitment to increasing trade, integration, and cooperation for the benefit of producers and consumers across the region.

During their visit, the US delegation visited the Emergency Operations Center (COES), where Javier Calderón, Director, SENASICA, explained that sanitary intelligence plays a central role in modern agri-food health. The agency, he said, collects, interprets, and models data to anticipate risks and help mitigate them effectively.

Regarding food safety, Calderón recently took part in the 3rd National Congress on Agricultural Health and Food Safety 2025, organized by the National Agricultural Council (CNA). He stressed the importance of shared responsibility with the private sector to prevent losses and ensure product quality for consumers. Calderón also called for predictive, technology-driven surveillance systems, including emergency plans and national sanitary drills to mobilize resources swiftly in response to emerging threats.

Berdegué highlighted the essential role of binational cooperation in epidemiological intelligence and animal health, particularly in addressing cross-border threats that can impact livestock production in both countries. He noted that technical collaboration with APHIS-USDA has been key to strengthening prevention and response mechanisms for animal health risks.

The border closure, first enacted in Nov. 2024, has seen some attempts at reopening by both governments, but optimal conditions for resuming live cattle trade have not yet been achieved. In the United States, the suspension has contributed to rising beef prices, which have increased nearly 14% over the past 12 months, according to recent data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.