Friday, April 25, 2025

Business group forecasts 50% increase in exports with new trade accord

A leading business organization issued a strong vote of approval today for the new NAFTA, forecasting that Mexico’s exports to the United States and Canada would grow 50% in the next 10 years.

The Business Coordinating Council (CCE), an umbrella organization of several business groups, said the new United States Mexico Canada Accord, or USMCA, is more robust, more modern and more agile, which will allow trade to multiply between the three countries.

The agreement was finalized last night and will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement.

CCE president Juan Pablo Castañón said in a telephone conference call the growth in exports will fuel employment and diversification in the production of Mexican products.

He cited three sectors that would lead the growth: food products, automotive and aerospace.

“. . . with the foundation of those three sectors of the economy, along with investment in energy, we are certain that we can grow our trade with the U.S. and Canada by at least 50%.”

One sticking point that was not resolved with the new trade accord were the tariffs imposed by the U.S. on steel and aluminum imports from Mexico and Canada, which U.S. President Donald Trump said today would remain in place for the time being.

But Castañón said the tariffs would be the subject of discussions this week. “This is now on the table . . . and conversations will begin this week to lift the imposition of these taxes on steel and aluminum, and on food products on Mexico’s part; we hope to have an announcement to make on the issue this week.”

Although many details of the USMCA have yet to be subject to outside analysis, it has been broadly welcomed for the fact that it ends more than a year of uncertainty for business and investors.

Source: Milenio (sp)

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
An ambulance pulls up to a hospital

Christus Health breaks ground on US $100M hospital in Los Cabos

0
The Baja California Sur medical facility will serve the region’s 350,000 residents, including 23,000 U.S. citizens who live in the area.
A photo of a middle aged woman and a young man

Mother and son from search collective that discovered Teuchitlán ranch murdered in Jalisco

1
It's the second killing this month to hit the Guerreros Buscadores de Jalisco search collective, which uncovered the Teuchitlán "extermination camp."
Telecommunication towers silhouetted at sunset

Telecommunications overhaul sparks free speech concerns

8
After U.S. anti-migrant ads aired on Mexican television, President Sheinbaum introduced a reform that would ban them — and overhaul Mexican telecommunications in the process.