Canada's trade mission to Mexico is an opportunity to strengthen economic ties

A trade mission led by Dominic LeBlanc includes leaders from more than 230 Canadian companies, and Canada–Mexico two-way trade rose from $4.5 billion in 1993 to $56 billion in 2024.

A Canadian government and business trade mission is visiting Mexico this week. It is led by Dominic LeBlanc and includes leaders from more than 230 Canadian companies seeking to grow their business. The trip comes as Canada and Mexico approach the first formal review of the USMCA trade agreement this summer. The article argues that a more sophisticated Canadian engagement with Mexico is long overdue. Key facts: - The mission is led by Dominic LeBlanc and includes leaders from more than 230 Canadian companies. - Canada–Mexico two-way trade rose from $4.5 billion in 1993, pre-NAFTA, to $56 billion in 2024. - Under USMCA, Canadian investment in Mexico has tripled in the past ten years. - Mexico has opened its economy through 14 free trade agreements with 52 countries and is described as the world's tenth largest population and tenth largest consumer market by household expenditure. - President Claudia Sheinbaum has set a goal of positioning Mexico among the world's top ten economies by 2030. - The article notes the Feb. 4 U.S.-Mexico Action Plan on Critical Minerals and says Mexico’s economy secretary, Marcelo Ebrard, mentioned Canada by name while explaining the deal. Summary: The trade mission highlights expanding bilateral economic links and presents Mexico as a key partner within North America. Strengthening Canada–Mexico trade and investment is framed as a way to support the trilateral USMCA framework. The first formal review of USMCA is scheduled for this summer and is likely to shape future discussions between the three partners.