What's Happening?
Canada and Mexico have met to discuss improving agri-food trade between the two countries as part of the Canada-Mexico Action Plan 2025-2028. The meeting involved Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Heath MacDonald and Mexico's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development Julio Berdegué. Key outcomes include Mexico's acceptance of Canada's proposal to ease import requirements for eligible apples from Canada's Eastern provinces starting January next year. Additionally, a new certification will allow Canadian pet food with bovine ingredients to be sold in Mexico. Both countries agreed to use electronic certification for plant products like canola and wheat, with plans to expand this tool to other products. The meeting is part of efforts to strengthen collaboration and information exchange focused on food security, competitiveness, trade expansion, and diversification.
Why It's Important?
The strengthening of agri-food trade ties between Canada and Mexico is significant in the context of their challenging trade relationship with the US. Both countries face tariffs from the US, aimed at addressing the flow of illicit drugs along their borders. By enhancing bilateral trade, Canada and Mexico can mitigate the impact of these tariffs and foster a sustainable, inclusive, and growing agri-food sector. The collaboration also highlights the importance of diversifying trade partnerships and reducing dependency on the US market. As strategic partners in global agri-food trade, Canada and Mexico's actions could influence broader trade dynamics in North America.
What's Next?
The US Trade Representative is set to review the USMCA trade agreement in July 2026, which could impact the trade dynamics between Canada, Mexico, and the US. Meanwhile, Canada and Mexico will continue to implement the commitments made during their meeting, including easing import requirements and expanding electronic certification. The two countries will use existing groups like the Canada-Mexico Consultative Committee and Agri-Business Working Group to further strengthen collaboration and information exchange. These efforts aim to enhance food security, competitiveness, and trade diversification, positioning Canada and Mexico as key players in the global agri-food sector.
Beyond the Headlines
The meeting underscores the geopolitical dimension of trade relations in North America, highlighting the strategic importance of diversifying trade partnerships amid tensions with the US. By focusing on agri-food trade, Canada and Mexico are addressing critical issues related to food security and sustainability, which have broader implications for regional stability and economic resilience. The collaboration also reflects a shift towards more inclusive and diversified trade strategies, which could influence future trade policies in the region.
