Post by Tim Collins on Mar 18, 2009 4:26:18 GMT -7
Mexico hits U.S. with tariffs over truck ban
Wed Mar 18, 2009 2:52am EDT
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico said on Wednesday it was imposing tariffs on U.S. imports of fruits, vegetables and household products after Washington banned Mexican trucks from U.S. roads.
Mexico, which says the ban violates the North American Free Trade Agreement, published a list of dozens of products subject to tariffs, including Christmas trees, sunglasses, toilet paper, pet food, ornaments and soy sauce.
The Mexican government declined to give details about the tariffs, but said this week it would avoid raising prices for local consumers by excluding staples like rice, corn, wheat and beans.
The economy ministry said the goods facing higher tariffs were chosen to affect as many U.S. states as possible without hurting Mexican manufacturers. Trade experts said only about 1.5 percent of U.S. exports to Mexico would be affected.
Mexico is the United States' No. 3 trade partner. It is angry the U.S. Congress scrapped a pilot program this month that allowed Mexican trucks deep into the United States.
Some U.S. lawmakers and truck driver unions say Mexican trucks do not meet U.S. safety standards, a charge Mexico denies.
(For details of the full list of U.S. goods facing tariffs, please see pages 50 and 51 of the following document: http:/dof.gob.mx/PDF/180309-MAT.pdf)
(Reporting by Mica Rosenberg)
© Thomson Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. Users may download and print extracts of content from this website for their own personal and non-commercial use only. Republication or redistribution of Thomson Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. Thomson Reuters and its logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Thomson Reuters group of companies around the world.
Wed Mar 18, 2009 2:52am EDT
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico said on Wednesday it was imposing tariffs on U.S. imports of fruits, vegetables and household products after Washington banned Mexican trucks from U.S. roads.
Mexico, which says the ban violates the North American Free Trade Agreement, published a list of dozens of products subject to tariffs, including Christmas trees, sunglasses, toilet paper, pet food, ornaments and soy sauce.
The Mexican government declined to give details about the tariffs, but said this week it would avoid raising prices for local consumers by excluding staples like rice, corn, wheat and beans.
The economy ministry said the goods facing higher tariffs were chosen to affect as many U.S. states as possible without hurting Mexican manufacturers. Trade experts said only about 1.5 percent of U.S. exports to Mexico would be affected.
Mexico is the United States' No. 3 trade partner. It is angry the U.S. Congress scrapped a pilot program this month that allowed Mexican trucks deep into the United States.
Some U.S. lawmakers and truck driver unions say Mexican trucks do not meet U.S. safety standards, a charge Mexico denies.
(For details of the full list of U.S. goods facing tariffs, please see pages 50 and 51 of the following document: http:/dof.gob.mx/PDF/180309-MAT.pdf)
(Reporting by Mica Rosenberg)
© Thomson Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. Users may download and print extracts of content from this website for their own personal and non-commercial use only. Republication or redistribution of Thomson Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. Thomson Reuters and its logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Thomson Reuters group of companies around the world.