Mexico urges U.S. to return to evidence-based trade decisions

MEXICO CITY, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Returning to evidence-based trade decisions and ruling out unilateral tariffs must be priorities in the upcoming review of the North American trade pact, senior Mexican officials said Monday.

During a consultation event for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), Mexico's Agriculture Minister Julio Berdegue noted that recent U.S. measures and direct subsidies in the grains sector have caused trade distortions totaling approximately 12 billion U.S. dollars.

"A key element is the imperative need for the U.S. government, in particular, to return to respecting the principle that decisions affecting trade, even if they are not strictly commercial measures, must be based on evidence, science, and technology," Berdegue said in a speech.

Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard added that 78.5 percent of Mexico's economic sectors support renewing the pact and called for its refinement to prevent unilateral tariffs. He noted the review would focus on reducing import dependency, strengthening rules of origin, and reinforcing North American supply chain security.

Ebrard also highlighted the need for Mexico to increase domestic production of pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

Bilateral discussions between Mexico and the United States are set to begin next week, while talks between Mexico and Canada are scheduled for May. ■