Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that North America needs to strengthen itself as an economic region that is self-sufficient and that a trade agreement between the three countries on the continent is essential for effectively competing with China.

During a working visit to the state of Tamaulipas, Sheinbaum said, "The agreement between Mexico, the United States, and Canada is important for the next president of the United States, President [Donald] Trump because this trade agreement is the only way to successfully compete with China in the economy and trade."

"North America must consolidate as an economic region that is increasingly independent of imports from other regions of the world. That is why we have always maintained that there is no competition between us, between the three countries, on the contrary, we complement each other, and this allows us to be one of the most energetic, most important regions in the world," she said.

Former Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador also advocated for the economic integration of North and Central America, along with the Caribbean. During trilateral meetings held under the "summit of friends," he highlighted China's dominance in the global market and suggested to the US and Canadian partners the idea of joint production planning aimed at substituting imports.

Sheinbaum explained that the 80-year-long integration of industry with the United States has led to significant cost reductions, such as a $15,000 decrease in the price of an American car. This is because many of the vehicles and components sold in the US are manufactured in Mexico.

Highlighting North America's 30% share of global GDP, the politician urged for the economic integration of the entire American continent, aiming to make it an even more dynamic and powerful region on the world stage.

Trump vows 25% tariffs on Mexico, Canada and deeper tariffs on China

Late last month, Trump announced plans to sign an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada if he is re-elected president. He also intends to impose additional tariffs on China, claiming their exports to the US will be targeted until China [alongside Mexico] addresses issues such as fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration.

Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform, “On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders."

He said the tariffs would remain in place until the two countries clamp down on drugs, particularly fentanyl, and migrants crossing the border illegally.

He announced in a follow-up post that the US "will be charging China an additional 10% tariff, above any additional tariffs, on all of their many products coming into the United States of America."