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Mexico

January 2004 saw the entry into force of NAFTA, the free-trade agreement with the US and Canada. This agreement set the pattern for the US imposition of FTAs elsewhere. It contains basic elements that would be repeated in many subsequent FTAs. By the same token, its adoption kickstarted the civil society movement of resistance to FTAs that has been gathering strength for the last 15 years.

In addition to NAFTA, Mexico has signed the following FTAs:
 Bolivia (1994)
 Costa Rica (1994)
 Group of Three (Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela (1994); Venezuela pulled out in November 2006; in March 2011, the Mexican Congress agreed to extend the Colombian FTA to agriculture)
 Nicaragua (1997)
 Chile (1998)
 EU (1999)
 EFTA (2000)
 Israel (2000)
 Northern Triangle (Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, 2000)
 Uruguay (2003)
 Japan (2005)
 Central America (2011, unifying all previous FTAs with the different countries)
 Peru (ratified by the Mexican Congress in December 2011)

The government is currently in FTA discussions with Panama, Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand, the Dominican Republic, Brazil and others.

Mexico’s FTAs with Colombia, Peru and Brazil have been the focus of intense resistance from the farming and fishing sectors.

last update: May 2012
Photo: Presidencia de la Repúblida de México - CC BY 2.0


Ford writes to EU ministers over Mexico trade deal
Ford Europe chief has written an open letter to the trade ministers of a number of EU states to express concerns over trade arrangements between Europe and other parts of the world
Putting sombreros on par with Champagne
The European Union mulls protecting handicrafts in the same way as gourmet food amid a push from Latin American countries.
Looking in the Mexican mirror
26 years of free trade, industrial paradise for transnational corporations and environmental hell for the peoples.
Energy dispute deepens between Mexico and foreign allies
The measures would face legal challenges under Mexico’s commitments not just under the outgoing NAFTA but also its successor, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, an industry source said.
EU-Mexico trade deal prompts French farming backlash
While the world is busy dealing with the coronavirus health crisis, the European Union and Mexico concluded talks on a new trade pact, provoking strong reactions.
EU and Mexico announce the finalization of an updated free trade agreement
The EU and Mexico have agreed to eliminate customs duties on practically all goods, to enhance and facilitate digital trade, and have taken on new obligations on good regulatory practices.
EU-Mexico agreement: Serious concerns for European civil society
European civil society organisations are deeply concerned about the renewal of the European Union-Mexico trade agreement.
EU, Mexico conclude talks to update free trade deal
The European Union and Mexico finalised a major upgrade to their free trade deal after the two sides agreed to grant reciprocal market access to each other’s tenders for public contracts.
Coronavirus delays maquiladora production
Maquiladoras in Reynosa are responsible for producing hundreds of products used and sold in the United States, with the majority of their parts coming from China.
Mexico targeting the “very closed” Brazilian economy expects to negotiate a trade deal
Mexico is negotiating with Brazil to expand economic cooperation and believes it can find areas of mutual benefit even though the Brazilian economy is “very closed,” Economy Minister said.