Latin America In Focus

On the one hand, Mexico’s President Sheinbaum has won praise for artfully handling relations with Trump administration, as well as standing out among global leaders for winning a 90-day tariff delay. On the other, more is at stake for Mexico than most countries, given that over 80 percent of its exports are U.S.-bound. And soon it will face a new challenge: a potentially turbulent review process of the trilateral USMCA deal. How will Mexico maneuver the treacherous waters ahead?  We turned to a top expert, Kenneth Smith Ramos, for answers. A partner at Agon and Mexico’s former chief USMCA negotiator, Smith Ramos tells AS/COA’s Carin Zissis, “ In negotiating with the U.S., we're facing a complex three-ring circus where you have, of course, the trade issues, but [also] immigration and fentanyl issues.” As Mexico tries to juggle these demands, he adds, it’s also taking a more protectionist tone with China and other Asian economies.Mexico may be the top trade U.S. partner, but it’s not the only Latin American gia