Mexico Seeks EU Trade Rules Modification for TV Export Growth

Mexico has petitioned the European Union (EU) to modify rules of origin in their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to enable the country to export television sets to the region. The current technological gap in the agreement prevents Mexico from being a significant player in this market. The EU imports $6.4 billion worth of TV sets annually, with Mexico contributing only $8.5 million, or 0.13%. In 2003, Mexico exported $7 billion worth of TV sets globally, but last year's imports from the EU totaled $444 million. Mexico aims to increase its TV exports in terms of value and volume, with 19,280,000 units shipped abroad in 2003.

Key Takeaways:

• Mexico's current contribution to the EU's TV imports is $8.5 million, or 0.13%, ranking the country 24th among suppliers.
• The total value of TV sets imported by the EU in 2003 was $6.4 billion, with Mexico's global TV exports amounting to $7 billion.
• Last year's TV imports from the EU totaled $444 million, with Mexico shipping 19,280,000 units abroad in 2003.
• The Free Trade Agreement between Mexico and the EU has a technological gap that restricts Mexico's ability to export TV sets to the region.
• Modification of rules of origin in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) would help Mexico reduce TV imports and boost exports.
• Mexico's goal is to increase its TV exports in terms of value and volume.

Statistics:

• The EU imports $6.4 billion worth of TV sets annually.
• Mexico contributes only $8.5 million, or 0.13%, to the EU's TV imports.
• In 2003, Mexico exported $7 billion worth of TV sets globally.
• 19,280,000 TV units were shipped from Mexico abroad in 2003.
• Last year's TV imports from the EU totaled $444 million.

Sources:

• El Economista/Corporate Mexico by Internet Securities, Inc. via COMTEX
• Euromoney Institutional Investor Company
• COMTEX News (http://www.comtexnews.com)