Preserving the T-MEC will be the first objective of the negotiations: Ebrard

Before the end of January, the negotiators of the review of the trade agreement between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC) must present the conclusions of the consultations they carried out to enter the final phase of this process, which must conclude on July 1, announced the Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard. From this procedure it follows that “our first strategic objective” is the very preservation of the treaty.

In the presidential conference, Ebrard Casaubón stated that among Mexico’s priorities in the USMCA negotiations, consolidating the dispute resolution system stands out so that there are no untimely decisions that affect different industries. “Reviewing the dispute settlement system helps us reduce margins of uncertainty regarding tariffs.”

In turn, President Claudia Sheinbaum maintained that the economy is doing well and this review aims to increase investments to generate fair employment. He pointed out that one of the pending issues in the relationship with the United States, although it is not in the treaty, is that of Mexican residents in that country. The goal, he noted, should be to generate conditions for a migration scheme that is feasible for Mexican workers in US territory.

–With the conclusion of the review of the treaty, could the systematic distortions created by threats of tariffs be removed?

–In tariffs, in the case of the United States, legally the provision of 232 has always existed. The treaty cannot modify that legal provision that exists in that country, but the dispute settlement system and what the treaty provides helps us; It is to reduce margins of uncertainty regarding tariffs. It obliges all three of us, not just the United States. That is why it is important to preserve it – Ebrard responded.

Reciprocity is violated

Another aspect that Mexico will fight for in the negotiations is “that there be reciprocity in various mechanisms, for example, labor, and in other areas where we would like it to be that way. It will be presented in a more formal way. And that the parallel letters are also fulfilled (side letters) of the treaty, which, for example, in the case of steel, established 60-day consultation procedures, which have not been followed. “There have been several breaches.”

Ebrard considered that good progress has been made in the negotiations. “We are already clear about which points will have greater focus for each country, greater importance, and the review would arrive with great clarity of which points each country proposed.”

–Beyond the disqualifications that President Trump has made, how do you perceive the position of the US negotiators at the start…?

–We have a good dialogue, very professional; We practically have contact every week, whether physically or via Zoom. We have several work teams operating. When you are in this matter, in accordance with a treaty, understanding and a basis of trust are cumulatively generated. It is very clear what things we do not agree on and progress is made on everything that can be agreed upon.