The minister added: “The tension in economic relations with China will occupy a central place in the US strategy.” “We are well aware that the United States is our main economic partner… We will try to some extent to mitigate the upcoming conflict and competition between Washington and Beijing.”
Speaking about the economic relations between the American side and his country, the Mexican minister pointed out that it has now become one of the main exporters to the United States, and expressed his confidence that by Trump’s second presidential term, Mexico will be in a better position to renegotiate the free trade agreement than it was during His first presidential term 2017-2021.
“The current starting point is much better than it was six years ago,” he said.
When Trump was still a presidential candidate for the Republican Party, he said that, if elected, he intended to increase tariffs on products coming from China and other countries.
It is noteworthy that the first period of Trump’s presidency witnessed “trade wars” between the United States and China. In practice, Trump’s successor, current President Joe Biden, has continued this economic confrontation: threats have been issued to increase tariffs on imports of Chinese steel, aluminum, and electric cars.
Earlier, calculations conducted by RIA Novosti confirmed that the main exporter of goods to the United States in the first eight months of 2024 was Mexico worth $335 billion, followed by China ($279 billion) and Canada ($275 billion). At the end of this year, Mexico will maintain its leadership in this area, with a supply volume of $496 billion. China comes in second place with a value of $431 billion.
In July, the White House announced that when importing from Mexico and in order to enter the US market duty-free under the US-Canada-Mexico Free Trade Agreement, stainless steel products as well as aluminum must be of Mexican origin, but if the metals used come from outside Mexico A 25% customs duty and a 10% tax will be imposed on Mexican aluminum goods produced using raw materials from China, Russia, Belarus and Iran.
Source: Novosti
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What is Mexico’s current role in North America amid US-China tensions?
**Interview with Dr. Maria Gonzalez, International Relations Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Gonzalez. Recently, a Mexican minister discussed the strategic positioning of Mexico in light of the tense US-China economic relations. Can you elaborate on what this means for Mexico’s role in North America?
**Dr. Gonzalez:** Absolutely, and thank you for having me. The statement from the Mexican minister reflects a growing awareness of Mexico’s significant position as a trade partner to the United States. As tensions between the US and China escalate, particularly in trade, Mexico is poised to capitalize on this situation. Mexico is now one of the leading exporters to the US, and this may shift dynamics in North America, facilitating deeper economic integration and perhaps less reliance on China.
**Editor:** That’s interesting. How do you see these tensions affecting Mexico’s economic strategy?
**Dr. Gonzalez:** The minister’s comments indicate a proactive approach from Mexico to mitigate the potential fallout from US-China competition. Mexico might aim to strengthen its trade ties with the US while offering an alternative to American companies that rely heavily on Chinese manufacturing. By positioning itself as a reliable partner, Mexico could benefit from supply chain shifts and attract foreign investment looking for stability.
**Editor:** The minister mentioned a desire to manage the conflict between Washington and Beijing. What strategies might Mexico employ in this regard?
**Dr. Gonzalez:** Mexico could focus on fostering diplomatic relations with both the US and China. By maintaining a balanced stance, it can continue to benefit from trade agreements and investments from both sides. This involves carefully navigating the complex political landscape while ensuring that Mexico’s economic growth is not jeopardized by international tensions. Engaging in multilateral dialogues and reinforcing economic agreements with the US will be key.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, what challenges do you foresee for Mexico in this shifting geopolitical landscape?
**Dr. Gonzalez:** One significant challenge will be ensuring that Mexico does not become overly dependent on US markets while trying to distance itself from Chinese influence. There’s also the potential for retaliatory measures from China if Mexico aligns too closely with US interests. Additionally, internal factors such as infrastructure, security, and political stability will play crucial roles in how effectively Mexico can position itself in this evolving scenario.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Gonzalez. It’s clear that Mexico’s economic strategy will be critical as US-China relations continue to evolve.
**Dr. Gonzalez:** Thank you for having me! The global landscape is indeed rapidly changing, and it will be fascinating to see how these dynamics unfold.
