The coordinator of Movimiento Ciudadano (MC), Clemente Castañeda, said that the modernization of the Global Agreement being worked on within the framework of the 31st Meeting of the Mexico-European Union Joint Parliamentary Committee contemplates greater protection for Jalisco tequila, along with other products with designations of origin, guaranteeing their quality and authenticity in the European market.
“The new Agreement will eliminate the tariffs that were still applied to products such as those of animal origin, which will facilitate food trade between both parties. In addition, it will offer greater protection to Mexican and European products, such as Spanish sherry, French Comté cheese, and Mexican tequila, thus guaranteeing their quality and authenticity,” he noted.
From Jalisco, he mentioned, “The state I proudly represent in the Senate of the Republic, we are very excited about the modernization of this agreement. Jalisco generates the largest share of trade volume with the European Union, 34.8 percent; that’s our interest. With this agreement, we intend for this figure to continue growing, working hand in hand with the government of Jalisco and the government of Guadalajara, which, incidentally, is governed for the first time by a woman: Verónica Delgadillo.”
The senator is part of the committee of Mexican senators and deputies participating in the working groups of the 31st Meeting of the Mexico-European Union Joint Parliamentary Committee, taking place in Brussels, Belgium.
The Global Agreement, which entered into force in 2000, has not only been a trade instrument that has generated opportunities for economic growth, but has also provided a legal framework for cooperation and political, social, and cultural rapprochement between Mexico and the EU.
In 2024 alone, trade between the two parties reached a record figure of $90.6 billion. In the 25 years of the Agreement’s existence, joint trade has grown by 350 percent.
“(The modernization of the Agreement includes) the liberalization of 86% of agricultural and fishery products, the simplification of customs requirements, protection with geographical indications for the Ataulfo mango from Soconusco, vanilla from Papantla, and cacao from Grijalva, among other agricultural products; “As well as the most important handicrafts such as Talavera from Puebla and Olinalá from Guerrero, these modifications result in a vision of increased prosperous trade for our nations,” explained Clemente Castañeda.
Today, the European Union is Mexico’s third-largest trading partner, as well as the country’s second source of foreign direct investment, with a cumulative investment of more than $160 billion since 2006.
“The modernized Agreement will provide a historic opportunity for the opening of public bidding processes between the European Union and the states, further strengthening our trade ties and reinforcing federalism, which is a common agenda between both regions,” stated the coordinator of the parliamentary group.
“One of the virtues of this agreement is the possibility for Mexican small and medium-sized businesses to better take advantage of these new opportunities. In Mexico, small and medium-sized businesses are the main driver of employment, accounting for 72% of it.”
Source: milenio
