La Jornada: Ebrard: T-MEC talks will strengthen the Mexico-EU relationship

The Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, trusted that the ongoing negotiations between Mexico and the United States within the framework of the joint review of the T-MEC will strengthen the economic partnership between both countries, which are each other’s main trading partner.

According to the Ministry of Economy, the statement took place during the reception that Ebrard offered on Wednesday night to the US delegation visiting Mexico City for the first formal round of bilateral negotiations.

The delegation is headed by Jeffrey Goettman, deputy United States trade representative, and includes senior officials from that office, legislators and dozens of businessmen from different sectors.

Leaders from the Mexican private sector participated in the event, including José Medina Mora, from the Business Coordinating Council; Sergio Contreras, from the Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, and Óscar del Cueto, from the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico.

During the reception, Ebrard thanked both Goettman and the United States ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, for their leadership and contribution to the bilateral economic dialogue.

Formal negotiations began on Wednesday and end today. The agenda includes the automotive sector, steel and aluminum, medical devices, labor matters, critical minerals and supply chain security.

On the most sensitive issues, Mexico states that the 50 percent tariff applied to steel and aluminum lacks justification, while in the automotive sector it maintains the need for a systemic approach that contemplates the entire tariff scheme and the rules of origin, not only the taxes directed at the country.

With this first round concluded, both governments have already agreed on two additional negotiation dates. The second will take place in Washington on June 16 and 17, with agriculture and a level playing field as central themes. The third round is scheduled for the week of July 20 in Mexico City and, according to Ebrard, will define the next steps in the review of the treaty.