EU-Mexico free trade: A modern agreement to reflect modern trade

Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament have welcomed the conclusion of a modernised free trade agreement with Mexico.

Dita Charanzová, ALDE shadow on EU trade relations with Mexico, said today:

“The EU and Mexico have sent a clear signal — while others isolate, we cooperate. A rules-based free trade system is the best way forward, and the EU and Mexico have proven our commitment to this again.”

“The EU-Mexico Global Agreement was the first of its kind at the time. Since signing it 20 years ago, our trade flows have almost tripled and have led to growth on both sides of the Atlantic. It is about time that our trade relations thrive even more through a modern agreement that reflects modern trade issues.”

“This successful modernization demonstrates that the Union’s trade strategy should not be limited to the quantity of trade agreements in place, but to also ensure better quality of these. The decision to update agreements in place with Mexico, followed by Chile, is positive, and should become the norm for all of our trade deals.”

Note to editors:

In 1997 Mexico was the first country in Latin America to sign an Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation Agreement (“Global Agreement”) with the EU. In May 2016, the EU and Mexico launched the negotiations to modernise the Global Agreement, including advanced rules and cooperation on trade.

More info: birte.grages@europarl.europa.eu