USMCA Readouts Silent on Auto Rules of Origin

Two U.S. readouts of the meetings between deputies from the three USMCA countries focused on a multitude of irritants and concerns the U.S. has with Canada and Mexico but didn't mention talks on how to resolve the U.S. violation of USMCA in its interpretation of the auto rules of origin (see 2301110058). Mexico and Canada did not issue their own readouts.

Jayme White, deputy U.S. trade representative, said he and Rob Stewart, Canada's international trade deputy minister, discussed consultations over Mexican energy practices, U.S. concerns over a Canadian digital services tax proposal, and proposed legislation on streaming services.

"Ambassador White and Deputy Minister Stewart agreed to continue to collaborate on addressing these issues and other shared priorities that are central to the U.S.-Canadian trade relationship," the readout said.

White's readout of his meeting with Mexico's Foreign Trade Undersecretary Alejandro Encinas said the two talked about Mexican progress to implement a ban on importing goods made with forced labor. It also said White urged Mexico to make "meaningful progress" in consultations on energy policy, and "to return to a science- and risk-based regulatory approval process for all agricultural biotechnology products in Mexico."

The U.S. official also brought up Mexican regulations on medical devices, and how that might affect North American supply chains for those goods.