New Tariffs to Protect Mexico; US-Mexico Water Deal

Mexican authorities said the new tariff package was designed to correct competitive imbalances that have increasingly affected domestic producers. In addition, Mexico and the United States reached an understanding on Rio Grande water deliveries amid drought, political pressure, and binational talks.

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Mexico Tariff Package Aims to Protect 350,000 Industrial Jobs

Mexico’s federal government approved a broad tariff package aimed at protecting up to 350,000 jobs across key manufacturing sectors, said Minister of Economy Marcelo Ebrard, citing rising imports sold at prices below international benchmarks.

Mexico, United States Reach Agreement on Water Deliveries

Amid renewed political tension and unprecedented hydrological stress, Mexico and the United States have reached a bilateral understanding to strengthen water management in the Rio Grande basin under the 1944 Water Treaty. The Government of Mexico has reiterated that it has not violated the treaty and that all actions taken remain fully aligned with its provisions, water availability, and infrastructure constraints.

United States Labels Fentanyl a Weapon of Mass Destruction

On Dec. 15, the US government issued an executive order designating illicit fentanyl and its primary chemical precursors as Weapons of Mass Destruction, citing their production, trafficking, and potential use as a direct threat to US national security. President Claudia Sheinbaum said her government will conduct a thorough review of the legal and political implications of this decision.

US, Mexico Sign Minute 333 to Tackle Tijuana River Pollution

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the signing of Minute 333, a new bilateral agreement between the United States and Mexico designed to address the sewage contamination affecting the Tijuana River. The agreement, reached by the US and Mexican Sections of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), introduces additional actions intended to support a permanent resolution to the issue.

US-Mexico Border Mayors Push for Voice in USMCA Negotiations

Border cities that handle the majority of US-Mexico trade are pushing for a central role in shaping the future of the USMCA. Representing over 14 million residents and regions responsible for more than 40% of bilateral commerce, the US-Mexico Border Mayors Association has submitted six key recommendations to the US Trade Representative.

Exports to Hit US$700 Billion in 2026 Amid USMCA Review: COMCE

The Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (COMCE) forecasts that Mexico’s exports will reach a record US$700 billion by 2026. This projection represents a 6.5% annual growth rate, suggesting that the country will continue to expand its international trade footprint even as the World Trade Organization  (WTO) predicts a deceleration in global merchandise trade.