Like in many long-distance relationships, the world’s largest trading partnership has hit a bit of a rough patch this week.
Driving the news: The Mexican government paused its relationship with Canadian and U.S. embassies after their ambassadors criticized a proposed change to Mexico’s judicial system that would see the country elect judges by popular vote, including Supreme Court justices.
- U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar said the proposal would weaken Mexico’s legal system and open it up to cartel influence and corruption, while driving away foreign investors.
- Meanwhile, Mexican officials have rejected notes on what they consider internal matters, and say the goal is to create a system that serves the public and fights corruption.
Why it matters: The “pause” will not directly impact the US$1.8 trillion economic relationship between the three countries, but the U.S. has warned the reforms could violate terms of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement trade pact, which is up for review in 2026.—LA