LatinNews Daily - 27 June 2024

*Mexico’s President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum has received Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly in Mexico City (CDMX) to discuss bilateral relations and the upcoming review of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in 2026. In a press conference following the meeting, Sheinbaum said it would only be a “minor review” seeking to strengthen the agreement. Sheinbaum also said they had discussed the possibility of expanding work visas for Mexicans in Canada. She emphasised that it was an “informal” meeting and that relations would be finalised when she takes office in October and overseen by the incoming foreign minister, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, who was present at the meeting, and incoming economy minister, Marcelo Ebrard. Joly also has a meeting scheduled with the current foreign minister, Alicia Bárcena, during her time in Mexico. In a statement, Joly said that both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation on economic and migration issues, highlighting the 50th anniversary of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Programme (Sawp), which sees Mexican agricultural workers travel to Canada for seasonal work. Joly expressed gratitude for Mexico’s assistance during Canada’s worst forest fire season last summer and discussed the need for joint efforts to combat climate change. Both countries will continue collaborating on environmental initiatives within the trilateral Commission for Environmental Cooperation, of which the US also forms a part.