On September 18 and 19, 2025, Mexico City became the epicenter of North American diplomacy and domestic policy as President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held high-profile meetings, press conferences, and public appearances. The events underscored the growing importance of trilateral cooperation under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and revealed the intricate dance of politics, trade, and national priorities that define the region.
President Sheinbaum, in her trademark morning press conference, set the tone by highlighting Mexico’s ambitious infrastructure agenda. Andrés Lajous, head of the Rail Transportation Regulatory Agency, announced significant progress on the Querétaro–Irapuato train line—107.8 kilometers designed to benefit over two million people and generate more than 9,000 jobs. This is just the latest in a series of rail projects, including the Mexico City–Nuevo Laredo and Mexico City–Pachuca lines, and a new connection to the Felipe Angeles International Airport. Sheinbaum made it clear that her administration is determined to continue the momentum started by her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who oversaw the construction of 1,500 kilometers of new train lines, according to Mexico Solidarity Media.
Sheinbaum didn’t mince words about the roots of Mexico’s previous rail decline, pointing to the neoliberal policies of the 1990s. She recalled, "It was neoliberalism that ended passenger train service when Ernesto Zedillo privatized the railway system and later worked for one of the benefiting companies." Her remarks reflected a broader narrative of the Fourth Transformation (4T), the political movement aiming to reverse decades of privatization and restore public investment in critical infrastructure.
The president also addressed a swirl of political controversy. She clarified that Andrés Manuel López Beltrán, the son of the former president, had not filed injunctions related to an ongoing fuel smuggling investigation, and emphasized that none of López Obrador’s sons appear in the case files. Sheinbaum described the allegations as part of a "slander campaign against the Fourth Transformation, against the former President and his family," and called for transparency about who was behind the legal maneuvers and their motives.
On the international front, Sheinbaum underscored Mexico’s commitment to the USMCA, affirming, "Mexico, the United States, and Canada agree on maintaining the USMCA," and welcomed the dialogue roundtables announced by Washington as a way to strengthen the treaty’s review without confrontation. The upcoming visit of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, she said, would reinforce bilateral ties in trade, investment, education, renewable energy, and health.
Carney’s arrival in Mexico City was not just symbolic. As reported by Politico, Carney made it clear that Canada and Mexico were united as the 2026 USMCA renewal talks approached. When pressed by reporters about whether Canada had received assurances that Mexico wouldn’t pursue a separate deal with the United States, Carney replied, "We’ll move forward together without question. Is that unequivocal enough for you? Because if you want it to be unequivocal, just write down ‘unequivocal.’" The message was unmistakable: neither country would seek a bilateral deal that could undermine trilateral unity.
Relations with Washington, Carney noted, remain paramount for both countries due to the immense economic benefits of a stable North American trade bloc. He referenced the tense 2018 episode when then-President Trump and Mexico’s Enrique Peña Nieto nearly sidelined Canada from the renegotiated free-trade agreement. Memories of that near-miss continue to shape Canadian and Mexican strategy. Last year, Mexico-Canada relations faced another test when some Canadian leaders floated the idea of a bilateral U.S.-Canada deal, but this was quickly dismissed. Sheinbaum, for her part, shrugged off such talk as "pre-election showmanship" and has since firmly closed the door on any bilateral trade deal with Canada.
Carney also addressed speculation about a potential expanded Canada-U.S. trade deal, stating, "A bigger deal that’s in the interest not just of the United States, but in the interests of the Canadian people, is not on the table, but it’s still possible." He emphasized that his government would only agree to agreements that serve the best interests of Canadians, a stance that drew a nod from U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra, who nevertheless lamented the lack of Canadian passion for the American-Canadian relationship.
The prime minister’s visit included a stop at the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ferrovalle train yard—a nod to the growing importance of rail infrastructure for trade and economic integration. The symbolism was clear: as Mexico revives its railways, Canada is keen to be seen as a partner in the region’s economic transformation.
Meanwhile, Sheinbaum used her platform to reinforce Mexico’s ongoing efforts in security and justice. She reported that former Tabasco Security Secretary Hernán Bermúdez had been expelled from Paraguay for entering the country illegally and committing crimes, with no extradition proceedings required. Sheinbaum dismissed reports of a pursuit by Minister of Security García Harfuch as inaccurate, clarifying that a stopover in Colombia was only for technical reasons. She also recalled that Bermúdez’s removal had been requested by then-President López Obrador and then-Minister of the Interior Adán Augusto.
Sheinbaum discussed reforms to the Amparo Law, a critical piece of Mexico’s legal framework, explaining that the measures aim to preserve constitutional rights while preventing misuse. Four laws have been submitted to streamline processes and ensure the law serves justice, not abuse. Senator Ernestina Godoy and former Supreme Court Justice Arturo Zaldívar are expected to provide further details.
On the security front, Sheinbaum announced that the recent visit of a U.S. Undersecretary to Mexico was part of a joint effort to strengthen investigations against money laundering, in coordination with Mexico’s Ministry of Finance. The move signals deepening cooperation between the two nations on combating organized crime and financial corruption.
Beyond the headlines, both leaders were busy with domestic political developments. Carney announced several high-level diplomatic appointments, including David Lametti as Canada’s next ambassador to the United Nations, Vera Alexander as ambassador to Germany, and anticipated postings for Bill Blair to the United Kingdom and Jonathan Wilkinson to the European Union. These appointments come as Ottawa prepares to recognize the state of Palestine at the 80th U.N. General Assembly, reflecting shifting priorities on the world stage.
Sheinbaum, meanwhile, invoked Mexico’s tumultuous political history, recalling the 2006 presidential election. She emphasized the importance of remembering that the National Electoral Institute refused a "vote by vote, polling station by polling station" recount, despite evidence of fraud, and characterized Felipe Calderón as a "bogus president." It was, she argued, a moment when neoliberalism was imposed through electoral manipulation.
As the week drew to a close, both leaders projected an image of unity and forward momentum. Sheinbaum’s government is pressing ahead with ambitious infrastructure and legal reforms, while Carney is working to ensure Canada’s interests are protected in a rapidly evolving North American landscape. With the next round of USMCA talks on the horizon, the stakes for both countries—and indeed the entire continent—have rarely been higher.
In a region where history is never far from the present, the events in Mexico City this week offered a glimpse of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for North America’s dynamic partnership.