Background on Key Figures and Relevance
The Mexican government, represented by the Private Initiative in Mexico (IP), and the federal government will meet on Tuesday to establish new procedures for reviewing the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement). This shift aims to move from chapter-based discussions to sectoral dialogues, as previously consultations were conducted.
Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico’s Secretary of Economy, has emphasized the importance of this process: “We will agree on how the review process will be conducted… We aim to be more inclusive and consult the relevant sectors adequately.”
Francisco Cervantes, President of the Coordinating Council of Mexican Business (CCE), will participate in a meeting with the government to review topics and learn about the operation of future T-MEC discussions. Sector representatives, including automotive, steel, aluminum, copper, agriculture, and others, will attend this technical meeting.
Key Changes in T-MEC Review Process
The T-MEC review process will differ from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) review. In the 2017-2018 negotiations, semiconductors were not part of the discussion. Now, the review will be conducted sector by sector.
Ebrard highlighted that the country aims to consult all productive sectors and establish a formula based on the system to be implemented starting January. The initial focus will be on reviewing the 90-day period to prevent tariffs.
“There is a change in the economy that you need to reflect in what you will do… There might not be large companies in certain sectors, but we want to be present,” Ebrard explained.
Meeting Details and Participants
On Tuesday, the Private Initiative in Mexico (IP) and the federal government will convene to discuss new procedures for T-MEC review. The meeting will include representatives from various sectors, such as automotive, steel, aluminum, copper, agriculture, and others.
Francisco Cervantes, President of the CCE, will participate in this technical meeting to understand how future T-MEC discussions will be conducted.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of the meeting? The meeting aims to establish new procedures for reviewing the USMCA, shifting from chapter-based discussions to sectoral dialogues.
- Who is participating in the meeting? The Private Initiative in Mexico (IP) and the federal government are organizing the meeting. Representatives from various sectors, including automotive, steel, aluminum, copper, agriculture, and others, will attend.
- What changes are being implemented in the T-MEC review process? The review will now be conducted sector by sector, unlike the chapter-based approach of NAFTA. The initial focus will be on reviewing the 90-day period to prevent tariffs.
- What role does Francisco Cervantes play in this process? Francisco Cervantes, President of the Coordinating Council of Mexican Business (CCE), will participate in the meeting to understand how future T-MEC discussions will be conducted.
