The "surprising" departure of Tatiana Clouthier as head of the Ministry of Economy raises some doubts about who will replace her, but also leaves pending issues related to free trade agreements in force and in the process of being renewed, as well as the new industrial policy initiative announced a few days ago.
One of the most important issues left by the now former secretary is the dispute settlement consultation process that is carried out with the trade partners of the Trade Agreement between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC).
Only on October 3 did the official negotiation time of the consultations end, although the three trading partners agreed to extend it.
Another issue that remains pending is the renegotiation of the trade agreement with the United Kingdom , which began formal talks in May of this year and began the first round of negotiations two months later.
The goal is for this trade agreement to be signed before the modernization of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and Mexico (TLCUEM) comes into effect.
There is also the signing of the trade agreement with South Korea, which was only "in good intentions" during the period of work of Tatiana Clouthier, who assumed the position of the Ministry of Economy in January 2021.
Clouthier explained that the negotiations with South Korea were postponed until 2023 to allow time for analysis and meetings with officials to review advantages and disadvantages. The signing of the treaty was thus "in the inkwell" and in the intentions of the former official to strengthen bilateral trade relations that turn 60 in 2022.
The new industrial policy announced in mid-September by Clouthier also appears as one more pending issue. This initiative, which was widely accepted by the industrial, academic and international organizations, will be directed by the person who is appointed in the next "morning" of President López Obrador.