US Trade Talks: Is Mexico Ahead of Canada, and Does It Matter?

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum after the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington on Dec. 5, 2025. Mandel Ngan/Pool Photo via AP

News Analysis

The tension in the Canada-U.S. bilateral relationship was on full display this week with media leaks and high-pitched messaging and testimony from top officials, with some U.S. officials suggesting that Mexico is ahead on its talks with Washington.