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‘Better North America to compete with China than US alone' - Mexican President defends USMCA after Trump calls it ‘irrelevant’

‘Better North America to compete with China than US alone' - Mexican President defends USMCA after Trump calls it ‘irrelevant’

"The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, highlighted the benefits of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the importance of North American unity in the face of China's economic growth, during her morning press conference in Mexico City on Wednesday. In her statements, the president noted that the main defenders of the treaty are American businessmen, thanks to positive regional integration. "The ones who defend the treaty the most are the American businessmen. The most. Of course, Mexico too. Why? Because there is a very strong integration," explained the president. Regarding the growing economic competition between the United States and China, where Mexico has positioned itself as a key partner for North American production and export, specially following the relocation of some supply chains from Asia, Sheinbaum emphasised that although future modifications to the USMCA may arise, the focus should be on advancing jointly. "The United States cares a lot about competition with China, it is much better that we remain as North America to compete with China than the United States alone," argued Sheinbaum. The president highlighted the growing economic independence among the three countries, especially in the automotive, electronics, and agricultural industries, where cross-border production chains drive employment and investment. Sheinbaum avoided going into details about US restrictions within the USMCA on Mexico but emphasised that despite some difficulties, the treaty continues to be functional and beneficial for both countries. "I would not want to enter the direct debate, I believe that so far, with its difficulties and even the restrictions they have imposed, economic integration is working for both countries," said Sheinbaum. The USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement), effective since July 2020, replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and aims to modernize trade relations among the three countries, with a special focus on digital trade, intellectual property, labor standards, and environmental regulations."

We don't want to see overseas territories challenged… we've got those too! - French PM Lecornu following Trump's threats to 'take control' over Greenland

We don't want to see overseas territories challenged… we've got those too! - French PM Lecornu following Trump's threats to 'take control' over Greenland

"Prime Minister of France Sebastien Lecornu during a National Assembly session in Paris on Wednesday, expressed concern about US President Donald Trump's claims America 'needs Greenland for the purpose of National Security'. "It is clear that the intentions of the Trump administration are serious and must now be taken very seriously and that we absolutely must not underestimate the words of the American president," he said. Lecornu also confirmed France's 'full solidarity with Denmark and the legitimate authorities of Greenland'. "Greenland is an OCT, in technical terms clearly an overseas country and territory, that France also has its overseas territories and that for under no circumstances do we want to see the sovereignty of other territories being challenged, as we would absolutely not accept the questioning of French sovereignty over our own territories," he concluded. The past days and weeks have seen rows with the US over Greenland, with Trump pledging to take control of it 'one way or another'. The UK, France and Germany have suggested deploying NATO troops to the region, which some media reports suggested was about 'easing Trump's security fears' and others claimed that it was about 'deterring' the US president. Trump has repeatedly said he wanted control of the Danish territory since his re-election in 2024, with it triggering debate over Greenland's own difficult relationship with its former Danish coloniser."