The most recent agreement on critical minerals between Mexico and the United States has been hailed as a significant step toward competitiveness and economic security in North America.
Ronald Johnson, the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, emphasized the importance of the agreement, stating on social media on January 5: “This new Action Plan demonstrates our shared commitment to competitiveness, supply chain resilience, and North America’s leadership for the future.”
The action plan, signed on February 4, will last 60 days and will involve bilateral consultations and cooperation in the area of critical minerals. Both nations agreed to analyze their trade policies and evaluate the possibility of establishing minimum import prices at the border.
The agreement also includes provisions for the development of common regulatory standards, technical collaboration, regulatory harmonization, and the promotion of joint investments.
Among the key mechanisms are the creation of shared geological maps and the establishment of strategic reserves to address potential supply chain disruptions.
Furthermore, the agreement promotes scientific research, technological innovation, and information sharing, always respecting Mexican sovereignty and legislation, as stated by Mexico’s Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard.
According to Reuters, the definition of critical minerals varies depending on each country’s economy. The U.S. Geological Survey considers critical minerals to be those essential to the economy, national defense, or technology, whose supply is vulnerable to disruptions.
Examples cited include lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, graphite, rare earth elements, aluminum, manganese, and silicon. These resources support strategic sectors such as batteries, semiconductors, and renewable energy.
Marcelo Ebrard pointed out that Mexico and the United States agree on the strategic importance of the sector, although Mexico’s list of critical minerals differs from that of other countries.
The plan anticipates that both nations will present various alternatives regarding these resources, paving the way for a similar dialogue with other countries in the coming months.
Ebrard emphasized the Mexican government’s multilateral vision and announced that dialogue will soon begin with Canada, Japan, and the European Union on international cooperation regarding critical minerals. He noted the imminent arrival of a Canadian delegation on February 16 to discuss the issue, through which Mexico seeks to maintain an active role on the international agenda.
According to Jamieson Greer, the United States Trade Representative, speaking to Reuters, the plan between the United States and Mexico “underscores the shared commitment of both countries to address the distortions in the global market that have left North American supply chains vulnerable to disruptions.”
Greer stressed the urgency of correcting these vulnerabilities, stating: “It is imperative to correct these vulnerabilities, as critical minerals are strategic assets indispensable to modern, innovative industrial economies, and diverse, resilient, market-based supply chains are essential to our economic and national security.”
Source: infobae
