US Lawmakers Accuse Mexico of Breaching Trade Deals!

A group of 17 U.S. congressmen have accused the Mexican government of seizing land from Vulcan Materials, a violation of existing trade agreements between the two nations. The lawmakers expressed their concern over the alleged actions against Vulcan Materials, through its subsidiary Calica, located in Quintana Roo, Mexico.

In a letter to Mexican ambassador Esteban Moctezuma, the U.S. legislators claimed that Mexico had seized lands and a port owned by Vulcan Materials. They argue that these actions represent a breach of trade agreements and a break in trust between the two nations.

The letter, dated September 25, stated that the treatment of Vulcan Materials has been a long-standing issue. The lawmakers described the current situation as a "breach of trust", undermining key principles of international trade, such as the rule of law. They also warned that Mexico's actions could influence the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) scheduled for 2026.

The congressmen emphasized that Mexico had previously pledged to safeguard foreign investments. However, they now believe that the message being sent to the world is that "Mexico cannot be trusted". They argue that this situation could damage the bilateral trade relationship and set a concerning precedent for future agreements.

President López Obrador of Mexico has denied the allegations of land expropriation, stating that the Calica mine is located in a Protected Natural Area, where operation is prohibited. Despite this, U.S. lawmakers maintain that Vulcan Materials has operated without issue in Mexico for four decades. They are urging the Mexican government to reconsider its actions.

In conclusion, the U.S. legislators expressed their willingness to engage in dialogue to find mutually beneficial solutions. However, they emphasized that the alleged seizure of Vulcan Materials' assets has greatly damaged trust in Mexico as a trading partner.