“We are evaluating all kinds of commercial retaliation”Clouthier said, recalling that Mexico “has already responded with tariffs to commercial coups by the United States.”
“We would have to propose something very important and strategic so that, in those products, in those places where it also hurts, to the other side, to give precision shots so that the consequences are felt,” said the official.
Among the options contemplated is to open a consultation process under the letter of the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC), in force since January 1994 and recently renewed by the three countries, which could lead, if not to an agreement, in a dispute resolution panel.
“In terms of the T-MEC, we would initiate the processes that we have followed in other cases. It is not valid that we are playing as partners when it suits me and, when not, I apply the dark way,” said Clouthier.
Last August, Mexico also called for a consultation process with the United States, due to a disagreement in the interpretation of the rules of origin for automotive exports.
“We have seen that this is a measure that could be contrary to the obligations of the United States in the WTO,” underlined the Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade, Luz María de la Mora.
The proposal will be voted on by the United States Senate in the week of December 13, but Clouthier announced that from now on the “lobbying” actions with US legislators have intensified to persuade them not to approve this controversial legislation.
“We will knock on all the doors that we have to knock, senator by senator,” said the minister.
Biden’s plan, described as “discriminatory and protectionist” by several countries, consists of granting tax credits of $ 7,500 to $ 12,500 if the vehicles meet a minimum of US content and workmanship, which would harm Mexican exports of conventional cars to the United States.
The initiative has already received the green light from the House of Representatives, but in the Senate it is estimated that it will be more difficult to pass.
For Mexico, a strategy of this nature could be devastating, because the automotive sector is a strategic sector of the economy as it contributes 4% of the gross domestic product and represents a quarter of total exports, providing direct employment to one million people. persons.
For Clouthier, this initiative could accelerate the migration of Mexicans to the United States due to the economic onslaught of the sector.
About 25 countries with a vigorous automotive sector, including Mexico, sent a document to the United States Congress this week expressing concern about the policy of tax credits to encourage the purchase of electric cars.
The Mexican Senate commission that is in charge of monitoring compliance with the T-MEC indicated that the initiative “could violate some clauses of the agreement.”
Although the measure of the head of the White House is laudable for its purposes, since it is aimed at estimating social spending and seeks to mitigate the effects of climate change, it represents a powerful setback against its main trading partners.
Source From: Ambito
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