Friday, March 29, 2024 | Ramadan 18, 1445 H
clear sky
weather
OMAN
25°C / 25°C
EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

EU, Mexico agree on new free trade pact

1314571
1314571
minus
plus

BRUSSELS: The European Union and Mexico reached an agreement on Saturday on a new free trade deal, a coup for both parties in the face of increased protectionism from the US under President Donald Trump.


Since its plans for a trade alliance with the United States were frozen after Trump’s election victory, the EU has focused instead on trying to champion open markets and seal accords with other like-minded countries.


The agreement in principle with Mexico follows a deal struck last year with Japan and comes ahead of talks next week with the Mercosur bloc of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.


“With this agreement, Mexico joins Canada, Japan and Singapore in the growing list of partners willing to work with the EU in defending open, fair and rules-based trade,” said European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (pictured).


For Mexico, a deal with the EU is part of a strategy to reduce its reliance on the United States, the destination of 80 per cent of its exports.


That has become more urgent, given Trump’s push to rewrite the North American Free Trade Agreement.


The EU and Mexico wanted to update a trade deal agreed 21 years ago that largely covers industrial goods.


The new deal adds farm products, more services, investment and government procurement, and include provisions on labour and environmental standards and fighting corruption. — AFP


SHARE ARTICLE
arrow up
home icon