According to Jin10, U.S. President Donald Trump pressed Mexico to strike more energy deals with U.S. energy companies during a call with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum in mid-September, according to the Financial Times citing people familiar with the matter. The report said Trump initially asked about the possibility of Mexico selling assets to the United States, and the two sides also discussed an arrangement similar to the U.S.-South Korea energy deal, including increased purchases of U.S. energy products. A U.S. official said the talks covered Mexico expanding imports of U.S. natural gas to narrow its trade surplus with the United States. U.S. natural gas currently accounts for about three-quarters of Mexico's gas demand. The report said the new energy cooperation demands raised concerns in Mexico and delayed formal trade talks scheduled for September, which have not yet been rescheduled. Mexico is seeking lower U.S. tariffs on its auto, steel and aluminum products, while state control of the energy sector remains highly politically sensitive in Mexico. U.S. officials said the talks are progressing positively and that both sides remain in close contact.