WASHINGTON — The United States is putting pressure on Mexico over energy policies that Washington says unfairly favor Mexico’s state-owned electricity and oil companies.

The U.S. is demanding talks to resolve the dispute, starting a process Wednesday that could end in trade sanctions against Mexico.

Among the disputed issues is an amendment to Mexican law last year that the U.S. says gives an unfair edge to electricity produced by Mexico’s state-owned utility over energy from private companies and by cleaner sources such as wind and solar.

The U.S. also protests a regulation that gives only the state oil and gas company extra time to comply with standards limiting the sulfur allowed in automotive diesel fuel.