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The International Trade Secretary today (Friday 20 May) launches negotiations on a new UK-Mexico Free Trade Agreement (FTA) alongside her Mexican counterpart, Tatiana Clouthier, in London.

Negotiating a 鈥楳exico 2.0鈥� deal would transform the UK鈥檚 relationship with the world鈥檚 16th biggest economy and secure a brand new, enhanced FTA for a digital age, which supports hi-tech jobs, industries of the future and grows our economy.

Mexico is a major market for UK exporters. Its expanding population means demand for imports is set to grow by 35% by 2035. It is in a strategically situated part of the world, serving as a gateway to the Americas as well as to the dynamic trans-Pacific region.

UK negotiators will look to go further and deeper in areas like services and technology, boosting a trade relationship already worth over 拢4 billion. The agreement could increase trade flows across the financial, creative, digital and technology services sectors thanks to advanced services provisions, boosting the UK鈥檚 already world-leading services industries.

It is the third major FTA negotiation launched by Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan this year - following visits to kick off talks in India in January and Canada in March.

Secretary of State for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

This enhanced deal would transform our relationship with Mexico, making the most of the immense opportunities its dynamic business landscape and young, growing population offer.

From autonomous vehicle manufacturers in the West Midlands, to Wales鈥� green tech businesses and Scotland鈥檚 thriving food and drink sector, companies of all shapes and sizes across the UK stand to benefit.

Trade deals like this are vital to growing the economy to address the cost of living, as they support jobs, help businesses thrive and spur investment. We鈥檝e already kickstarted negotiations with India and Canada and are close to joining the CPTPP free trade area, with a combined GDP of 拢9 trillion, of which Mexico is a key member.

The UK is aiming for a dedicated chapter on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that would knock down sector-specific barriers, cutting costs and paperwork for SMEs looking to export.

Through this FTA, the UK will seek to make buying and selling goods and services online and product standards recognition processes smoother, helping British businesses expand more quickly and supporting jobs.

We will also aim to lock in tariff reductions of 拢57 million per year secured under existing agreements, ensuring tariff-free trade on 97% of UK goods.

We will look to help workers move between the two countries more easily and enhance opportunities for UK firms to bid for contracts in Mexico, supporting major UK industries such as infrastructure and business services.

Our ambition is for an FTA which is forward looking and fit for the future, which supports innovation and women鈥檚 economic empowerment.

This new FTA will also complement the UK鈥檚 CPTPP negotiations, accession to which could see 99.9% of UK exports being eligible for tariff-free trade with this聽bloc, which includes聽some of the world鈥檚 largest existing and future economies including Mexico.

Diageo Chief Executive Ivan Menezes said:

We welcome the launch of the UK-Mexico trade talks. The continuation of tariff-free trade between the UK and Mexico will support both the growth of Scotch exports and the important Tequila category.

CBI President Lord Bilimoria said:

The Government did a remarkable job securing the continuity agreement with Mexico. There is now a phenomenal opportunity to strengthen our existing economic ties including in services, digital, and investment.

International trade is the foundation for economic growth. With exporters among the UK鈥檚 most profitable and innovative businesses, firms up and down the country should be seizing on the huge untapped potential globally. Finding new opportunities in emerging markets such as Mexico will be key to that success.

Amanda Tickel, Head of Tax & Trade Policy for聽Deloitte聽UK, said:

We welcome negotiations on upgrading the UK鈥檚 trade relationship with Mexico, a fast-growing economy home to over 130 million consumers that is expected to be among the world鈥檚 largest over the next two decades.

The existing trade agreement has provided a strong platform for bilateral UK-Mexico trade but needs modernising to reflect today鈥檚 commercial environment. New and ambitious provisions on data, digital and services trade represent an exciting opportunity for British business and can help cement the UK鈥檚 position as a leader in professional advisory and financial services around the world.

Background:

• Our current trade agreement with Mexico is based on the EU-Mexico Global Agreement, negotiated over 20 years ago. Our new deal with Mexico will be better tailored to the UK. It鈥檚 an opportunity to gain market access for a range of services sectors, access to Mexican government procurement contracts and also provide a trail-blazing opportunity to set new benchmarks in areas like digital trade, innovation, and trade and gender equality.
• The launch will take place at Diageo - one of the world鈥檚 largest drinks companies, founded and headquartered in London and a top exporter to Mexico. Mexico is the leading destination in Latin America for UK food and drink products and the top market for whisky.
• It is estimated that, if modern and ambitious services commitments are agreed, trade flows in the insurance sector alone could increase by around 拢80 million. Exports of financial services could also increase by around 拢20 million.