Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent trade tensions between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, highlighting the challenges faced by Canada and Mexico in their attempts to cooperate against U.S. trade policies, particularly under the Trump administration's protectionist measures [1][3][5]. Group 1: Trade Dynamics - Canada and Mexico's bilateral trade amounts to only $40.5 billion, significantly less than Canada's trade with the U.S. at $924.4 billion, creating a disparity that raises questions about the depth of their cooperation [3][5]. - The reliance on the U.S. market is a double-edged sword; while it drives cooperation, it also fosters competition between Canada and Mexico for favorable trade terms from the U.S. [3][5][7]. Group 2: Political and Economic Context - The imposition of tariffs—50% on Canadian steel and 25% on Mexican pharmaceuticals—has led both countries to consider a united front to mitigate losses from U.S. trade policies [5][12]. - The historical context of limited interaction between Canada and Mexico over the past eight years reflects a lack of depth in their bilateral relationship, which has been overshadowed by their interactions with the U.S. [5][7]. Group 3: Potential for Cooperation - Despite the challenges, there is potential for substantive cooperation in areas such as energy interconnection, manufacturing division, and combating drug trafficking, which could shift the relationship from mere political statements to practical collaboration [9][12]. - The interdependence of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico in trade creates a negotiation leverage for Canada and Mexico, as both countries are crucial to U.S. agricultural, energy, and manufacturing sectors [11][12]. Group 4: Internal Challenges and External Pressures - Internal competition in sectors like the automotive industry and differing strategies on security issues may hinder deeper cooperation, but the external pressures from U.S. trade policies could temporarily set aside these internal conflicts [14][16]. - The shared goal of mitigating risks from U.S. trade actions provides a strong foundation for Canada and Mexico to pursue a coordinated strategy, despite their historical differences [14][16].