Energy dispute not on agenda for U.S.-Mexico talks next week – minister

Mexico’s Overseas Minister Marcelo Ebrard arrives on the ninth Summit of the Americas, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 8, 2022. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

MEXICO CITY, Sept 6 (Reuters) – A U.S. dispute with Mexico over its southern neighbor’s power insurance policies is just not on the agenda for bilateral talks between senior authorities officers subsequent week, Overseas Minister Marcelo Ebrard stated on Tuesday.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Ebrard are because of meet for the so-called Excessive-Stage Financial Dialogue on Sept. 12 within the northern Mexican metropolis of Monterrey amid ongoing discussions between commerce officers over the power dispute.

“The assembly’s goal is not to get into the power challenge as a result of there’s already a course of underway which the financial system ministry is following with the U.S. Commerce Consultant,” Ebrard advised reporters in Mexico Metropolis.

“So it would not make sense to fulfill with the Secretary of State to speak about one thing that is already being mentioned by the related areas,” the minister added.

As a substitute, Ebrard stated he and Blinken would discover their imaginative and prescient for North America over the “subsequent 20 years.”

Key points that may be mentioned embody semiconductors, fifth technology (5G) telecommunications know-how and electromobility, Ebrard stated, referring to efforts within the continent to make batteries for electrical automobiles.

Washington on July 20 unveiled a requirement for dispute settlement talks underneath the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) commerce deal, arguing Mexican power insurance policies discriminated towards its corporations. Canada rapidly joined the U.S. grievance.

Below USMCA guidelines, if the grievance is just not resolved inside 75 days of consultations, a dispute panel might be requested to overview claims. Nevertheless, an official acquainted with the matter stated these talks may find yourself going nicely past 75 days.

Final month Ebrard stated Mexico hoped the dispute may very well be resolved earlier than it reaches an arbitration panel. learn extra

Reporting by Dave Graham; Modifying by Richard Chang

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