The Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard Casaubón, affirmed that the trade agreement between Mexico, the United States and Canada (TMEC) “will remain and will survive.”
The official stated in his appearance in the Senate that the treaty will continue to attract investments and generate new opportunities for the country in the face of the current international readjustment, according to a statement from the Upper House.
Ebrard recalled that in January of this year, President Trump threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all Mexican products, which would have meant a “goodbye” to the USMCA.
However, he highlighted that Mexico currently participates together with the United States and Canada in consultations prior to the review of the agreement, which shows that “we went from one extreme to the other.”
During his participation on the occasion of the First Government Report of the federal Executive, Ebrard pointed out that the economic strategy promoted by President Claudia Sheinbaum “is going to be successful”, and that it already shows positive results, such as the growth of foreign investment and the strengthening of Mexican exports.
“(The president) has built a relationship of persuasion, of respect. And that is a greater political resource, because otherwise we would not be where we are,” he said.
He explained that Mexico maintains consultations with the United States and Canada to prepare the next review of the USMCA, with the aim of resolving possible points of friction in advance.
He stressed that the president’s instruction is to maintain cohesion between all the agencies involved and carry out consultations with the productive sectors and the federal entities to define a solid national position.
Info:
Sheinbaum is confident that the USMCA will be maintained; hopes to maintain tariff advantages with the US
Ebrard stressed that the purpose is to reach the TMEC review process with a position that is as homogeneous as possible on key issues for the economic development and well-being of the country.
He highlighted that Mexico faces one of the most complex periods in its recent history, but it has managed to consolidate a relationship of respect and cooperation with its trading partners, which has strengthened its international position.
He assured that, despite the recent imposition of US tariffs on sectors such as the automotive sector, Mexico maintains the best relative position compared to Washington’s other trading partners.
“More than 80% of exports are not subject to tariffs, and our auto parts today are in better condition than those of other countries,” he stressed.
Ebrard affirmed that Mexico’s position for the review of the USMCA will be clear: protect free trade and resolve before that stage all current controversies, including those related to rules of origin and unilateral measures applied by the United States under section 232.
Likewise, he indicated that the economic strategy focuses on three fundamental axes: maintaining the best relative position compared to other trading partners of the United States, preserving foreign investment and guaranteeing the country’s export capacity.
He added that Mexico currently has a more favorable position than the European Union, Japan or China in terms of trade with the North American nation.
With “reasonable optimism,” the Secretary of Economy insisted that the USMCA will not only remain in force, but will also generate “new opportunities” for investment and export diversification of the country in the midst of the international readjustment.
Ebrard specified that on Thursday he will travel to Washington to continue the tariff negotiations.
With information from EFE
Find here the most outstanding news of Mexican politics
