Mexico's Sheinbaum confident of reaching favorable trade deal with US

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed confidence on Sunday that her administration will secure a favorable trade agreement with the United States and other global partners, while also advancing efforts to strengthen Mexico’s domestic technology sector.

“I am confident we will reach a good agreement with the United States and with all nations of the world regarding our trade relations,” Sheinbaum said during a packed ceremony in Mexico City’s Zócalo square, marking her first year in office.

The president announced that her government will soon unveil progress on several “Made-in-Mexico” technology projects, including the development of electric vehicles, semiconductors, satellites, and drones. These initiatives, she said, are part of a broader plan to adapt Mexico’s economy to a shifting global trade landscape. The plan also includes the creation of a national artificial intelligence laboratory.

Sheinbaum, a climate scientist and former mayor of Mexico City, was elected last year and currently enjoys approval ratings above 70%. Throughout her term, she has navigated a delicate relationship with the U.S., Mexico’s largest trading partner.

Mexico has largely avoided major fallout from U.S. tariffs under the Trump administration, thanks to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which is due for review next year. However, Mexico has also imposed its own tariffs on countries without free trade deals—most notably China—a move analysts interpret as a response to Washington’s pressure amid its trade tensions with Beijing.

During her address, Sheinbaum highlighted her government’s achievements and reaffirmed her commitment to protecting national sovereignty. In a lighthearted moment, she referenced President Trump’s decision earlier this year to rename the Gulf shared by both countries, inviting the crowd to vote on naming a new railway project the “Gulf of Mexico Train.”

“Raise your hands,” she said with a smile. “Who agrees?” The audience responded with applause, and Sheinbaum declared the motion approved by majority vote.