'Psychodrama' tariff talks with US frustrate Mexico and Canada

Mexican and Canadian officials are increasingly frustrated by tariff negotiations with the Trump administration, with a lack of clarity over exactly what the US wants making any resolution seem impossible, sources from both countries told Reuters.

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MEXICO CITY/WASHINGTON/OTTAWA -

After implementing across-the-board 25 per cent tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico earlier this week, US President Donald Trump on March 6 announced a one-month reprieve for both countries on goods compliant under a North American trade pact.

The on-again, off-again tariffs and the high-level discussions surrounding them have exasperated negotiating teams, according to three Mexican officials and two Canadian sources familiar with negotiations.

It is like "dealing with an angry partner and you don't know what they are mad about", one Mexican official said. "It is not clear what they want."

The press person for Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to a request for comment by directing Reuters to Ms Sheinbaum's public comment on March 6. In a post on X, Ms Sheinbaum said that "we had an excellent and respectful call" that respected the "sovereignties" of both countries.