Sheinbaum says "we will not sign anything that would damage" Mexico's interests in US tariff talks

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters before a video call with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick that Mexico would protect its national self-rule and economic interests in negotiations with Washington, Excélsior reported. The talks concern U.S. tariffs on Mexican steel, aluminum and automobiles during the USMCA review; duties remain 50% on steel and aluminum and 25% on vehicles, while roughly 85% of USMCA-compliant exports enter duty-free. Mexico aims to lower those tariffs and block new ones tied to Washington’s argument about excess industrial capacity. Days later, Sheinbaum stressed sovereignty in her second Independence Day address from the National Palace balcony, where city officials counted more than 300,000 people in Mexico City’s Zócalo.