The Trump administration's trade agency said on Wednesday it will kick off the first of ‌three negotiating rounds with Mexico this week to revamp the North American trade agreement, but made no mention of any talks with Canada.

That comes as the US, Mexico and Canada are scheduled to review the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) this year.

The US Trade Representative's office said in a statement that Deputy US Trade Representative Jeffrey Goettman will lead bilateral talks in Mexico City on Thursday and Friday focused on "economic security and rules of origin for ‌key industrial goods."

USTR Jamieson Greer stayed in Washington to attend a White House cabinet meeting ‌on Thursday.

USTR said the US and Mexico will hold a second round of negotiations ‌in Washington June 16 to 17, focused on agriculture and "a level playing field," with a third set of talks in Mexico City scheduled for ‌the week of July 20.

"The negotiations will focus on ensuring that the USMCA benefits US manufacturers, farmers, ranchers, workers, and service suppliers, and businesses of all sizes, including our small and medium-sized enterprises," USTR said in its statement on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Mexico: US tariffs on steel, aluminum a major concern

Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard on Wednesday said that US tariffs of 50% on Mexican steel and aluminum are a major concern for Mexico as formal talks begin on the review of the North American free trade agreement.

Speaking to reporters, Ebrard confirmed that Mexican and US officials are holding the first formal round of talks on May 27-29 in Mexico City in preparation for the joint review of the USMCA.

"What issues are we going to address between today, tomorrow and Friday morning? The automotive sector, steel and aluminum, which for us is a major concern," Ebrard said.

He said the 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum are "unsustainable and unjustified," adding that for the auto industry, Mexico will propose a "systemic approach" that does not rely solely on tariffs.

Other issues on the agenda include medical devices, labor progress and the US position on critical minerals, Ebrard said.

Where's Canada?

The first Trump administration held trilateral negotiating rounds with Mexico and Canada to create the USMCA, which replaced the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement in 2020.

But USTR's statement made no mention of bilateral talks with Canada. There have been few discussions between Greer and his Canadian counterpart, Canada-US Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc, ‌since early March, and no formal launch of a US-Canada negotiating process.

Greer said on Tuesday in Washington that the US has "significant" differences with Ottawa on trade that will be difficult to resolve, notably that Canada has failed to accept US President Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs on Canadian vehicles, steel and aluminum and to negotiate trade concessions like other major trading partners.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on April 22 that the United States does not get to dictate the terms of upcoming trade talks on revising the North American free trade agreement, according to a report by the AFP. 

Since taking office, Carney has maintained a defiant tone in response to the Trump administration's threats, insisting Canada will not buckle when faced with unreasonable trade demands.

(With input from agencies)