A group of ten US congressmen, eight Republicans and two Democrats, expressed their concern about the recent constitutional reforms promoted by the Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, particularly with regard to the restructuring of the judiciary.
In a letter addressed to Katherine TaiWhite House trade representative (USTR), the lawmakers urged him to “promptly engage with the Mexican government to ensure that the concerns of U.S. stakeholders are adequately communicated.”
The reform, which was approved in the Mexican Congress with the support of 359 legislators from the ruling party and its allies, generated a wave of criticism and protests, not only from the opposition and the judicial system itself, but also from important international actors. The project caused tensions with the United States and Canada, two of Mexico’s most important trading partners within the framework of the T-MEC.
In the letter, the congressmen stress the importance of the Mexican government respecting the agreements established in the trade agreement. “Many of the proposed reforms appear to jeopardize the access of American investors to a stable, predictable and impartial regulatory framework,” the letter reads.
In addition to judicial reform, the U.S. congressmen highlight in their letter several other aspects of the reforms that they consider risky, such as restrictions on lithium exploration, limitations on the use of genetically modified corn, and possible changes to regulations in the electricity sector. According to the letter, these measures “would undermine North American competitiveness and create a challenging environment for companies seeking to operate under USMCA rules in Mexico.”
The letter concludes with a series of questions addressed to the Biden-Harris administration, requesting clarification on its position on the Mexican reforms. The congressmen demand answers by September 20, with the aim of ensuring that the reforms do not harm trade relations and stability in North America.
LDAV
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2024-09-10 21:39:36