“Raquel Buenrostro and Alejandro Encinas Nájera probably have “more credibility with the energy ministry and the president” than the previous duo, Clouthier and De la Mora,” said Luis de la Calle, an Economy expert, and former Mexican trade official, pointing to an economy ministry statement that said the reshuffle would allow “better coordination” across departments.
“This doesn’t depend so much on negotiations with the U.S. as it does the internal negotiations inside Mexico,” he said.
After resigning, The Economy Secretary Tatiana Clouthier told the Mexican newspaper La Jornada there was a “pack” around the president and that the energy ministry “does not want to yield on anything.”
Under the United States-Mexico-Canada trade deal, if the controversy is not resolved during consultations, a dispute panel can be requested to review claims.
Sources told Reuters this month that Washington and Mexico City, not wanting to escalate the trade dispute amid soaring inflation, had extended the initial 75-day consultation window.
Lopez Obrador has also presented a bullish front, insisting on Friday U.S. officials had “decided not to take the step towards a panel,” and were looking for an agreement.
However, the United States can still opt to do so if talks do not reach a satisfactory conclusion, and many analysts in Mexico saw the economy ministry reshuffle as a sign that Lopez Obrador would not be willing to compromise on energy.
“I assume the hardliners have won,” said Andres Rozental, a Mexican former deputy foreign minister.
Source: Reuters
