# US-Mexico energy and trade tensions

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-mexico-energy-and-trade-tensions
> Updated: 2026-10-20T08:45:00.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

President Donald Trump has applied pressure to Mexico to secure energy agreements with American companies. This move has contributed to the postponement of formal trade negotiations between the two nations. 

During discussions with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Trump reportedly suggested the sale of Mexican energy assets to the United States. This proposal stands in opposition to Sheinbaum’s policy of maintaining national energy sovereignty through state-run entities such as Pemex and the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). 

Additionally, Washington is seeking to address a trade deficit with Mexico, which saw a surplus with the U.S. increase by more than 20 percent during the first eight months of 2026. Proposed measures to mitigate this include increased Mexican purchases of American natural gas and potential large-scale investments in the United States.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-20: Donald Trump struggles to lower energy prices despite emergency declaration

President Trump’s efforts to address a declared national energy emergency through fossil fuel expansion have failed to lower high fuel prices, as conflict in Iran disrupts global refined fuel supplies.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-struggles-to-lower-energy-prices-despite-emergency-declaration

### 2026-10-15: Trump pressures Mexico for energy deals amid trade tensions

Donald Trump is pressuring Mexico to secure energy deals with U.S. companies and increase natural gas purchases, complicating trade talks and challenging Mexico's energy sovereignty policies.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trump-pressures-mexico-for-energy-deals-amid-trade-tensions

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Cite as: US-Mexico energy and trade tensions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-mexico-energy-and-trade-tensions