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Logistics trucks line up to cross the border into the United States in Tijuana, northern Mexico, on February 14 last year (local time). / Photo via EPA-Yonhap News

The US administration announced on May 27 (local time) that it will launch the first round of a three-part negotiation process this week to revise the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

According to reports from Reuters and other media outlets, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) issued a statement notifying that Deputy USTR Jeffrey Gerrish will lead bilateral talks held from May 28 to 29 in the Mexican capital of Mexico City, with discussions primarily focusing on economic security and rules of origin for major industrial products.

USTR Jamieson Greer remained in Washington, D.C., to attend a White House cabinet meeting scheduled for May 28.

Downplaying Greer's absence, Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard told reporters that it "presents no obstacle to this week's meetings," adding that he has been meeting routinely with the USTR working-level delegation visiting Mexico City.

The USTR disclosed that the United States and Mexico will hold a second round of negotiations in Washington, D.C., from June 16 to 17, which will home in on agriculture and a "level playing field," while a third round is slated for the week of July 20 this year.

The upcoming renegotiations will aim to ensure that the USMCA delivers benefits to all segments of the economy, encompassing US manufacturers, farmers, ranchers, workers, and service providers, as well as businesses of all sizes, including small and medium-sized enterprises.

The official statement made no mention of negotiations involving Canada. USTR Greer and Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc have had virtually no communication since early March, and the negotiation process between the two nations has yet to be initiated.

"We harbor substantial and deep-seated disagreements in our trade relationship with Canada that remain difficult to resolve," Greer remarked in Washington, D.C., on May 26.

Canada has previously adopted a passive stance toward trade negotiations, refusing to acquiesce to US President Donald Trump's policies of slapping tariffs on Canadian automobiles, steel, and aluminum.

Greer rebuked Canada for retaliating by imposing its own tariffs on American automobiles, steel, and aluminum. "The only countries that have retaliated against us are Canada and China," he added.

In practice, several Canadian provincial governments have already pulled American alcoholic beverages from local retail store shelves.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that his country's military is currently negotiating to procure early warning radar aircraft from Sweden's Saab, instead of purchasing aircraft from America's Boeing.

To replace the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Trump administration conducted trilateral negotiations with Mexico and Canada during its first term, officially launching the USMCA in 2020.

                                                                                                             Kim Hyun-min