US Trade Rep Greer Makes Clear That Trump’s Tariffs on Mexican Companies are Here to Stay

ByMexico Solidarity

This article originally appeared in the April 21, 2026 edition of El Economista.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has told Mexico’s automotive and steel industries not to expect the renegotiation of the North American trade agreement (USMCA) to eliminate tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on their sectors, four industry sources familiar with the talks said.

Greer made these remarks on Monday to industry groups and other top business leaders at meetings held in Mexico City to discuss the goals of the USMCA reform with President Claudia Sheinbaum and Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, as the July 1 deadline for the six-year review approaches.

“Greer said the tariffs are here to stay. President Trump likes them. We’ll never go back to a world without tariffs,” said one of the four sources, who attended one of the meetings and, like the others, spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the talks.

The trade representative also told the automotive sector that U.S. officials are exploring ways to help Mexico, but did not offer details, according to the source.

These comments to the industry mark the first time Greer has publicly stated that Mexico will have to live with at least some level of tariffs following the modifications to the USMCA that will be negotiated this year.

Mexico and Canada have viewed the USMCA negotiations as a way to alleviate the high tariffs that Trump imposed last year, which have caused hardship for automakers and other industries in a highly integrated North American economy.

A spokesman for the U.S. trade representative declined to comment on Greer’s private meetings.

The Washington official met with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Mexico, the Business Coordinating Council , the Mexican Automotive Industry Association , and the National Chamber of the Iron and Steel Industry , among other groups in the Latin American country.