Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on Monday, October 19, 2026, that U.S. President Donald Trump has pressed Mexico to buy more U.S. natural gas and requested access to Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex). During her morning press conference at the National Palace, Sheinbaum rejected the notion that these energy and trade requests served as conditions for signing or ratifying the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (T-MEC).
Energy Demands and Constitutional Boundaries in Mexico-U.S. Talks
Sheinbaum detailed her recent telephone conversations with Trump, confirming that the U.S. leader has raised the issue of increasing U.S. natural gas exports to Mexico and asked whether American companies could participate in Mexican oil production. The Mexican president responded by outlining the strict constitutional and legal restrictions governing the nation’s energy sector. She informed Trump that Mexican law prohibits the transfer of oil rights to foreign entities.
Despite these constitutional limits, Sheinbaum noted that alternative legal frameworks exist for foreign capital. American firms can operate as contractors for Pemex or engage in liquefaction and export projects, such as Sempra Energy’s facility in Ensenada, which imports U.S. gas primarily for Asian markets. While Mexico imports U.S. natural gas to supply five newly constructed combined-cycle power plants, Sheinbaum emphasized that her administration's policy aims to strengthen domestic hydrocarbon production and future extraction capabilities.
Did You Know? Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and U.S. President Donald Trump last held a direct telephone conversation on September 16, 2026, prior to her public remarks on October 19 clarifying the boundaries of energy cooperation under the Mexican Constitution.
Rejecting Washington claims about cartel governance
Addressing bilateral security discussions, Sheinbaum strongly rejected assertions from Washington that certain regions of Mexico are governed by drug cartels. The Mexican president dismissed claims regarding the existence of “narcopoliticians,” noting that Trump never utilized that specific term during their calls. Sheinbaum attributed such rhetoric to internal U.S. election campaigns, stating that American politicians frequently attempt to use Mexico to advance domestic political goals.
Sheinbaum countered claims of institutional inaction by pointing to measurable security outcomes achieved by her government, including a 70 percent reduction in fentanyl trafficking and a 50 percent decrease in homicides. She maintained that security cooperation proceeds amicably through designated working teams rather than through coercive trade conditions. Bilateral tensions have eased in certain areas, following the recent lifting of U.S. regulatory sanctions that previously restricted Mexican air cargo operations.
Expert Insight: Balancing trade negotiations under the T-MEC framework while managing U.S. domestic political pressures requires navigating strict constitutional boundaries. President Sheinbaum’s public distinction between direct equity ownership in Pemex—prohibited by Mexican law—and permissible contractor roles demonstrates a strategy aimed at preserving national energy sovereignty while maintaining open diplomatic and commercial channels with Washington.
Clarifying US demands on Mexican energy assets
Did Donald Trump condition the signing of the T-MEC on Mexico handing over Pemex assets?
No. President Claudia Sheinbaum explicitly denied that U.S. requests regarding Pemex or natural gas purchases constituted a prerequisite for the review, signature, or ratification of the trade agreement.
How can American companies participate in Mexico’s energy sector under current laws?
While the Mexican Constitution prohibits transferring ownership rights over oil to foreign entities, U.S. companies may operate legally as contractors for Petróleos Mexicanos or participate in authorized infrastructure projects like gas liquefaction and export terminals.
What did President Sheinbaum say about cartel control and security claims from Washington?
Sheinbaum rejected U.S. claims that drug cartels control Mexican territory, attributing the statements to U.S. electoral politics. She highlighted local security achievements, including a 50 percent drop in homicides and a 70 percent reduction in fentanyl trafficking.
How will future trade negotiations balance U.S. energy export goals with Mexico’s constitutional restrictions?