Washington, D.C. – U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk has commented on the announcement by the Government of Mexico that it is suspending, effective today, the last of the retaliatory tariffs it had imposed more than two years ago on an array of U.S. products such as apples, certain pork products, and personal care goods. The tariffs were imposed as a result of a cross-border trucking dispute between our two countries. Earlier this month, on October 14, the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued operating authority to a Mexican trucking company under the provisions of a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Mexican Secretariat of Communications and Transportation. On July 8, two days after the MOU was signed between the transportation ministries, Mexico suspended the first 50 percent of its retaliatory tariffs; they had committed to lift the remaining duties on goods exported from the United States within five business days after the first Mexican carrier received operating authority.
“As a result of our cooperative work with this important trading partner, Mexican tariffs that had ranged from five to 25 percent on American products are now suspended, enabling the freer flow of American exports to Mexican consumers,” Ambassador Kirk said. “Mexico is a valuable market for U.S. manufacturers, farmers, ranchers and small businesses. By suspending these retaliatory tariffs, Americans will be better able to compete in the Mexican market, which will result in increased U.S. exports and more well-paying jobs here at home. President Obama and I welcome any step that supports American jobs and continues to rebuild our economy.”
The agreement on Lifting of Retaliatory Measures signed by the Office of the United States Trade Representative and the Government of Mexico’s Secretariat of Economy can be viewed here.
A list of U.S. products that had been subject to the retaliatory tariffs can be found here.
