President Claudia Sheinbaum discussed Mexico’s perspective on U.S. tariffs and its food sovereignty goals during a recent press conference. She emphasized Mexico’s trade advantages, especially under the USMCA. Agriculture Minister Julio Berdegué outlined ambitious targets for domestic food production by 2030, supported by government initiatives. Sheinbaum will also briefly attend a CELAC summit in Honduras next week.
In a recent press conference, President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the implications of high “reciprocal tariffs” imposed by the United States and Mexico’s ambitious goals for food sovereignty. She emphasized that while Mexico aims to benefit from international trade, it does not seek to harm other nations. She noted that Mexico’s geographical proximity to the U.S. provides a logistical advantage in trade, allowing for tariff-free exports of numerous products under the USMCA agreement.
Agriculture Minister Julio Berdegué highlighted the government’s commitment to achieving ambitious domestic production targets for staples including corn, beans, milk, and rice. These goals entail increasing production to 25 million tonnes of corn, 1.2 million tonnes of beans, 450,000 tonnes of rice, and 15 billion liters of milk by 2030. Berdegué believes these targets are attainable due to governmental support initiatives like the Coseschando Soberanía program, which will facilitate access to essential agricultural resources for farmers.
Additionally, President Sheinbaum announced her brief participation in the upcoming summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Honduras. She explained her limited time at the summit, stating she would only be present for a couple of hours. Sheinbaum’s attendance reflects her intention to engage with regional leaders while also managing domestic responsibilities, traveling via a Ministry of National Defense plane due to schedule constraints.
In conclusion, President Claudia Sheinbaum articulated Mexico’s strategic positioning with respect to U.S. tariffs and the country’s own food production aspirations. With ambitious goals outlined by Minister Berdegué and supportive government programs, Mexico is poised to enhance its agricultural outputs. Meanwhile, Sheinbaum’s international engagement, albeit brief, underscores Mexico’s commitment to regional dialogue and cooperation.
Original Source: mexiconewsdaily.com
