U.S., Canada raise concern over Mexico energy, investment climate (updated)

Americas Gold and Silver

08/07/2021 24:35

(Adds U.S. statement)
    MEXICO CITY/WASHINGTON, July 7 (Reuters) - Trade ministers
from the United States and Canada expressed concern on Wednesday
about Mexico's energy policies, as they met with their Mexican
counterpart to mark the one-year anniversary of a regional trade
pact.
    U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai told
reporters during a joint news conference that the United States
is closely following Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez
Obrador's approach to the oil and power sectors, and seemed to
suggest underlying differences.
    "With respect to the energy policies that we see being
discussed and envisioned by the Lopez Obrador administration, we
are watching very closely. ... We are raising our concerns. We
are here to engage," Tai said, without citing specific issues.
    Her answer came in response to a question about the Mexican
government's decision late last week to choose state-owned Pemex
to run a major shared oil find instead of a private consortium
led by U.S. oil company Talos Energy Inc  TALO.N , which made
the discovery in 2017.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL2N2OH154
    Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng reiterated Canada's "ongoing
concern with the investment climate in Mexico specifically in
energy and mining sectors," but welcomed the expected reopening
of the San Rafael mine operated by Canadian miner Americas Gold
and Silver Corp  USA.TO .
    The mine in northern Mexico will reopen following an
extended labor dispute.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL2N2OI2UR It primarily produces
silver, zinc and lead.
    Tai and Ng met in Mexico City with Mexican Economy Minister
Tatiana Clouthier at the anniversary of the entry into force of
the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). The pact
replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement.
    Ng welcomed the historic, all-female makeup of the group,
dubbing them the "three amigas," or "three friends" in Spanish.
    While in Mexico, the ministers met with entrepreneurs from
underrepresented groups, as well as representatives from
Mexico’s leading business groups, and visited institutions
involved in Mexico’s labor reform, USTR said in a statement.
   "With this meeting, Mexico, the United States, and Canada
reaffirmed their commitment to North American supply chains and
economic competitiveness, which have created significant
economic growth and benefits for people and workers in all three
countries," USTR said. 
    USTR said Tai also met with Mexican Agriculture Minister
Victor Villalobos, and emphasized the importance of Mexico
immediately resuming authorization of biotech products, like
genetically modified grains.
    The USTR chief also inquired about expanding access for U.S.
fresh potatoes in Mexico and protecting an endangered porpoise,
as well as the issues of illegal fishing in the Gulf of Mexico
and sea turtle bycatch.
    

 (Reporting by Anthony Esposito and Sharay Angulo in Mexico
City, Andrea Shalal, Tim Ahmann and David Brunnstrom in
Washington, and Steve Scherer in Ottawa; Editing by Cynthia
Osterman and Peter Cooney)
 ((anthony.esposito@tr.com; +5255 5282 7140))