United Kingdom will discuss FTA with Mexico; does not refer to the USMCA

Redacción Opportimes 23 septiembre, 2021

El gobierno de Reino Unido informó que discutirá las negociaciones de un Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) con México, sin hacer referencia a la incorporación de esa nación europea al Tratado entre México, Estados Unidos y Canadá (T-MEC). The government of the United Kingdom reported that it will discuss the negotiations of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Mexico, without referring to the incorporation of that European nation to the Agreement between Mexico, the United States and Canada (USMCA). — Photo: Government of London.

The government of the United Kingdom reported that it will discuss the negotiations of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Mexico, without referring to the incorporation of that European nation to the Agreement between Mexico, the United States and Canada (USMCA).

This position was expressed in a press release, in which he reported the visit made this Thursday by Liz Truss, Chancellor of the United Kingdom, to Mexico, in search of promoting bilateral economic and diplomatic associations.

“The Secretary of Foreign Affairs will ask for Mexico’s continued support for Great Britain’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Treaty of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TIPAT, or CPTPP in English) and will discuss plans to develop a new and updated free trade agreement between the United Kingdom and Mexico, which Truss sees as a key part in Britain’s inclination towards the Indo-Pacific and the creation of stronger economic ties between countries that believe in rules-based free trade,” the statement said.

Truss traveled directly from the UN General Assembly in New York to Mexico City to boost UK trade and investment in Mexico, which will become the seventh largest economy in the world by 2050, according to forecasts referred to by the UK government.

FTA

The United Kingdom is interested in entering the TIPAT, a process that is still ongoing. Also this week some English media reported that the British government is evaluating the incorporation of their country to the USMCA, a surprise announcement.

Already the British government has tried unsuccessfully to speed up negotiations for a bilateral FTA with the United States.

Truss said through the statement: «Closer ties with Mexico are a key part of our plan to strengthen economic, security and diplomatic ties with like-minded allies who share our belief in free enterprise and free trade.»

«A trade agreement with Mexico, for example, will pave the way for us to join the CPTTP, one of the largest free trade areas in the world,» she added.