US-Mexico USMCA review kicks off with rules-of-origin talks
The US and Mexico have launched a series of bilateral negotiating rounds tied to the first formal Joint Review of the USMCA trade agreement. Deputy USTR Ambassador Jeff Goettman will lead US delegations in three rounds (May 28–29 in Mexico City, June 16–17 in Washington, and the week of July 20 in Mexico City), with discussions covering economic security, rules of origin for industrial goods, agriculture, and competitive fairness. The talks aim to ensure the agreement continues to benefit US manufacturers, farmers, workers, and SMBs.
Photo: Eugenio Felix / Pexels# US-Mexico USMCA Review Launches with Rules-of-Origin Negotiations
The Office of the United States Trade Representative announced on May 27, 2026, that the United States and Mexico will conduct a series of bilateral negotiating rounds as part of the first Joint Review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Timeline and Focus Areas
Three negotiating rounds are scheduled:
- May 28–29, 2026 (Mexico City): Deputy USTR Ambassador Jeff Goettman will lead the US delegation. Negotiations will address economic security and rules of origin for key industrial goods—a critical area for manufacturers importing inputs across the US-Mexico border.
- June 16–17, 2026 (Washington, D.C.): The second round will expand the agenda to include agriculture and level playing field discussions, signaling attention to competitive conditions across sectors.
- Week of July 20, 2026 (Mexico City): A third round will take place, though specific agenda items were not detailed in the announcement.
What This Means for Shippers
Rules-of-origin negotiations in a USMCA review directly affect your landed costs and duty eligibility. If origin rules tighten or shift for your key products, your USMCA tariff preference may shrink or disappear—exposing you to full most-favored-nation (MFN) rates. If rules loosen, your costs drop. Check your current product classifications and origin assumptions now: even preliminary signals from these talks can shift market strategy. Monitor USTR updates through June and July, and prepare tariff scenarios for any originating goods crossing the US-Mexico border by Q3 2026. Use our USMCA duty-free checker to audit your current eligibility before the review conclusions are finalized.
