MEXICO CITY — On Tuesday, Marcelo Ebrard, the Economy Secretary of Mexico, announced that he will engage with officials from the Trump administration in Washington this Thursday. He referred to this meeting as “the first conversation” in an ongoing series of negotiations between the two nations.

This discussions occur at a delicate time for the neighboring countries, where their bilateral trade reached an impressive $800 billion in the previous year. President Donald Trump has issued threats of implementing a 25% tariff on all imports from Mexico, although so far these have only been applied to steel and aluminum. Furthermore, Trump signed an executive order that seeks to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

Ebrard communicated to reporters that the initial meeting’s agenda will include clarifying the proposals made by the United States and examining the objectives of the new administration. He emphasized that Mexico’s counterarguments would also be crucial, especially in discussing economic integration between the two countries.

In addition to discussions about tariffs on steel and aluminum, Ebrard stated he would converse with Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and other administration officials regarding the significance of the U.S.-Mexico trade relationship. He expressed his hopes to introduce a variety of proposals aimed at enhancing the current trade agreements.

However, the broader threat of tariffs from Trump looms overhead, a situation that analysts warn could lead to a recession in Mexico. If the wider tariffs are enacted, it may trigger a trade conflict, with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico vowing to respond with equivalent tariffs. Such actions would inevitably lead to increased prices for American consumers.

While Mexico actively seeks to expand its trade relationships, experts indicate that years of free trading policies and geographic closeness limit immediate changes that could be made. Ebrard appeared determined to steer clear of escalating tensions during these talks.

“Our approach will never involve resentment or confrontation but will focus on collaborative efforts to advance together,” Ebrard stated.