Canada Invites Mexico’s President to G7 Summit

Prime Minister Mark Carney has extended an invitation to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to attend next month’s Group of Seven summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, according to two individuals familiar with the decision.

President Sheinbaum’s presence at the three-day summit could provide a valuable opportunity for side discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump on trade issues, including tariffs and the future of North America’s trade framework. If she attends, it would mark the first trilateral meeting between the leaders of Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. since Trump assumed office.

It remains uncertain whether Sheinbaum will accept the invitation. Mexico’s diplomatic mission in Canada declined to confirm the invitation or provide a statement.

Business Council of Canada head Goldy Hyder has been actively encouraging the federal government to bring Sheinbaum to the table in Kananaskis. “It’s an obvious move—we share a continent with a like-minded country,” Hyder said. “Having someone there who has built a working relationship with the U.S. President, and who he respects, makes strategic sense.”

Trump’s trade measures targeting both Canada and Mexico, which began in March, have deterred investment and raised costs for industries and consumers across the region.

During a May 6 meeting in Washington, Trump cast doubt on the future relevance of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the regional trade deal. However, Carney later told Power and Politics that talks have intensified and a renewed agreement might be within reach before the fall. “The issues are becoming clearer, and we want the right deal—but not a drawn-out process,” he said.

The Prime Minister’s Office did not issue a comment on the invitation.

Flavio Volpe, who leads the Auto Parts Manufacturers Association, said the invitation signals progress in trade negotiations and suggests a constructive atmosphere between Mexico and the U.S. He noted that Canadian parts makers depend heavily on Mexican operations tied to the American auto market, making a stable trade agreement vital.

Fen Hampson, an international affairs professor at Carleton University, suggested that future discussions could result in industry-specific agreements—perhaps even replacing the broader USMCA. A trilateral gathering at the G7 would help prevent the U.S. from driving a wedge between Canada and Mexico. “If everyone’s at the table, it’s harder to play one side off the other,” he explained.

Hyder added that Carney’s outreach may also help repair diplomatic strains caused by past political missteps, including efforts to seek separate trade deals. “Sheinbaum is a key figure,” Hyder said, noting that he has met her recently. “There’s real potential here for leaders to steer negotiations toward modernizing the trade pact.”

If the three leaders do meet in Kananaskis, Hyder expects Trump will also raise the issue of coordinating a unified response to China’s trade practices. Meanwhile, Canada and Mexico have continued separate bilateral discussions with U.S. officials on defense, critical minerals, and other strategic concerns.

Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc was in Washington last week meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on those matters. “We have to carefully manage this relationship,” Hyder said. “While reminding Washington of how valuable we are as partners, we must also continue efforts to reduce our dependency on a single market.”

Canada’s envoy to Washington, Kirsten Hillman, said recently that negotiations on areas like national security and drug enforcement would likely be handled separately from trade talks. The USMCA is scheduled for review in 2026.

Current U.S. tariffs still in place include a 25% duty on Canadian steel and aluminum, and a similar tax on vehicles based on non-U.S. content. Certain sectors—such as energy, minerals, and potash—face reduced tariffs when they meet the agreement’s rules of origin. In response, Canada has implemented its own countermeasures on a wide range of American goods.