US lawmakers urge assurance that AMLO’s reforms do not violate USMCA

“We recognize the sovereign right of each government to update its constitution and deeply value the strong partnership between the United States and Mexico. However, many of the proposed reforms appear to compromise U.S. investors’ access to a stable, predictable, and impartial regulatory framework,” they said in the letter.

American businessmen in Mexico have expressed that the reforms that concern them most are those of the judiciary and the one that eliminates autonomous bodies, as well as those in the areas of energy and mining.

“We are concerned about the Mexican government’s efforts to ban or limit certain extraction methods, restrict lithium exploration, electricity operations and permits, restrict imports of genetically modified corn, or abolish independent regulatory bodies. Such policies would undermine North American competitiveness and create a challenging environment for relevant companies seeking to operate under USMCA rules in Mexico,” they warn.

The lawmakers note that given the timeline for considering these reforms, the U.S. Trade Representative is required to engage quickly with the Mexican government to ensure that the concerns of U.S. stakeholders are adequately communicated.

“Furthermore, as we prepare for the USMCA review in 2026, it is imperative that each partner country respect the integrity of the agreement. Any action that contravenes USMCA obligations will raise significant doubts about our commitment to our shared goals and will inevitably hinder the review process,” the letter states.

Lawmakers are asking for a written response by Sept. 20 on Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ stance on proposed constitutional reforms related to energy, mining, genetically modified corn, autonomous regulatory agencies and judicial reform.

They also want to know what impact these reforms are expected to have on American businesses and investors and how the U.S. Trade Representative has been engaging with U.S. stakeholders to advocate for their interests.