COPARMEX to Include Unions in Upcoming USMCA Review Talks

As the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) approaches its six-year review, Mexico’s private sector and labor unions are positioning themselves to take an active role in shaping the next phase of regional economic integration.

At the “Mexico–North America Trade Summit: Beyond USMCA,” hosted by COPARMEX, business and government leaders outlined a strategic agenda to consolidate Mexico’s role as a key trade partner in North America. The event brought together stakeholders to assess the current state of the trilateral agreement, explore diversification strategies, and strengthen the country's global competitiveness in the face of shifting geopolitical dynamics.

Juan José Sierra, President, COPARMEX, underscored the importance of regional integration and market diversification. “This summit is a meeting point for informed and constructive dialogue,” Sierra said. “We are here to analyze the impact of USMCA, identify strategies to maximize its benefits, and explore alternatives that strengthen our competitiveness globally,” he highlighted. 

Meanwhile, Marcelo Ebrard, Minister of Economy, addressed the shift toward a more protectionist global trade environment, emphasizing that Mexico’s future competitiveness will rely on lowering market access costs and expanding beyond the US market. “There is no structural reason why Mexico cannot become a more significant exporter to other regions,” stated Ebrard. 

Speakers at the summit, including Kenneth Smith, former chief negotiator of the USMCA, and representatives from institutions such as the Inter-American Dialogue and IPADE, highlighted key challenges ahead. Among them: national security-based tariffs in the United States, the need to modernize regional value chains, and the urgency of reinforcing innovation and legal certainty.

Labor unions such as the CTM, CROC, the telephone workers’ union, and ASPA will also join the USMCA review process, marking a moment of unified action with the private sector, reports Reforma. The announcement is expected during a business-labor meeting convened by the Business Coordinating Council (CCE), where a joint agenda will be presented.

The inclusion of organized labor was proposed by COPARMEX during its recent delegation visit to Washington, D.C. “We met with the US Department of Labor and discussed Mexico’s formal employment progress and the challenges of the Rapid Response Labor Mechanism,” announced Sierra. “We also introduced our social dialogue agenda with unions, which was well received.”

Deputy Alfonso Ramírez, who is championing the creation of a Labor Council to serve as a consultative body during trade negotiations, confirmed that the council would help define labor priorities for the USMCA review. Key concerns include regulating the labor mechanism to avoid inter-union disputes, establishing a common wage policy, and ensuring worker participation in defining regional content rules.

A trilateral meeting involving unions from Mexico, the United States, and Canada is expected in late June.