MEXICO CITY (EFE).— The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, He stated that his government will propose eliminating or reducing tariffs on steel, aluminum and vehicles during the review of the Tratified between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC)whose process will begin next week. The president pointed out that these tariffs affect commerce within North America and they must disappear if the products comply with the rules of origin established in the agreement.
During her conference, Claudia explained that the Mexican position will be to encourage the tariffs imposed by USA these sectors be reduced or eliminated completely. “We want the reduction or flat-out, because everything that complies with the rules of origin (…) and that tariffs have increased in the United States, then those tariffs should be removed.”
The president indicated that she will seek favorable conditions for the automotive sector, one of the pillars of regional trade. “That is our position. Obviously we want the vehicles to reach zero and if not, then at least there should not be a higher quota for vehicles from Mexico than for those made in Europe or Korea”, he stated.
Claudia added that these approaches have been transmitted directly to the president of the United States.Donald Trumpas well as US officials in charge of international trade. “That is what we have been asking of the United States both personally when I speak with President Trump and in the working groups with the Secretary of Commerce and with the person responsible for trade agreements,” he said.
According to the president, Washington has raised two central issues for the review of the agreement: compliance with the rules of origin and the strengthening of supply chains in North America.
The first negotiation between Mexico and the United States is scheduled for March 16, while the dialogue with Canada will be done in May. He T-MEC, which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)came into force in 2020 and contemplates periodic reviews between the three countries.
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