Mexico City, September 19, 2025 — The Europe Today: Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Thursday announced a commitment to strengthen bilateral relations through a new comprehensive strategic partnership, as both countries prepare for potential challenges arising from a second Donald Trump presidency in the United States.
Carney was received with ceremonial honors at Mexico’s National Palace, the official residence of the President, where he and Sheinbaum held high-level discussions. Addressing a joint press conference, the two leaders emphasized their shared vision for deeper cooperation across trade, security, infrastructure, climate action, and conservation.
“Today, we’re beginning a new era of elevated co-operation,” Carney said, adding that both nations are undertaking major transformations of their economies that will be reinforced through closer collaboration.
President Sheinbaum echoed this sentiment, stating, “Mexico and Canada will continue walking together, with mutual respect and with a certainty that co-operation is the path to overcome any challenge.”
The partnership, which builds on the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), is aimed at not only preserving the trilateral trade deal but also expanding ties between Ottawa and Mexico City. Sheinbaum highlighted the importance of Canadian investment in infrastructure projects, particularly ports, to help create trade and energy corridors — a goal aligned with Carney’s push for major development initiatives.
The announcement comes ahead of next year’s CUSMA review. Canada is expected to begin formal consultations within days, following a similar move by the Trump administration earlier this week. Both Carney and Sheinbaum underscored their commitment to maintaining the trilateral framework, pushing back against suggestions of a Canada-U.S. bilateral deal at Mexico’s expense.
“Canada is absolutely committed to work with both our partners [in CUSMA],” Carney affirmed. “We’ll move forward together, without question.”
Beyond trade, Carney pledged $9.9 million to support United Nations-led migrant integration initiatives in Mexico and to help combat fentanyl production and trafficking. He also confirmed that Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc will lead a trade mission to Mexico and named Adam van Koeverden as Canada’s “sherpa” for preparations for the FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The leaders agreed that North America remains an economic powerhouse on the global stage and that their strengthened bilateral ties will complement the trilateral partnership under CUSMA.
