Trump pressures Mexico for energy deals amid trade tensions

President Donald Trump is pressuring Mexico to enter into energy agreements with American companies, a move that has contributed to the postponement of formal trade negotiations between the two nations. During a September telephone conversation with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Trump reportedly raised the possibility of selling Mexican energy assets to the United States, a proposal that conflicts with Sheinbaum’s policy of maintaining national energy sovereignty through state companies like Pemex and the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE).

Washington is also seeking to reduce its trade deficit with Mexico, which saw its surplus with the U.S. climb by more than 20 percent during the first eight months of 2026. Proposed arrangements include increased Mexican purchases of American natural gas and potential large-scale investments in the United States. The pressure on Mexico’s energy sector also impacts international interests, as the focus on Mexico’s state-run energy companies and fiscal policies creates uncertainty for foreign entities operating in the region.