The United States is seeking the first-ever consultations with Mexico over its environmental obligations under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, including protection of the critically endangered vaquita porpoise, U.S. trade officials said Thursday.
The formal talks - which could ultimately result in trade sanctions - will also focus on Mexico's obligations to prevent illegal fishing and trafficking of the critically endangered totoaba fish, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said in a statement.
He said USTR hoped to reach a negotiated settlement with Mexico as a result of the formal consultations, but the trade deal also provided "additional tools" if the talks failed. If no agreement is reached, U.S. officials could request a dispute settlement panel after a minimum of 75 days had passed, which could ultimately result in tariffs or other trade sanctions, the USTR officials said.
Mexico's Economy Ministry said in a statement it had received a request for consultations on the issue with the United States. The ministry said it would coordinate the work between authorities from the two countries "with the objective of timely presenting the efforts and measures adopted to protect marine species in the national waters."
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