Politicizing economic issues road to collective ruin

Three days after a meeting with her Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the 19th G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo told the media on Friday that the idea that Chinese products are entering the United States and Canada through Mexico is false. The Mexican government will show to the US and Canadian governments that Chinese products are not entering the two countries through Mexico, and that they enter through all channels in terms of trade.

She also noted that they have a plan with the aim of substituting these imports that come from China, and producing the majority of them in Mexico.

But even that "politically correct" statement, which was apparently made to dispel Washington's concern that Mexico is teaming up with China has not met with reciprocal goodwill in return.

US president-elect Donald Trump on Monday promised tariff hikes on goods coming from Mexico, Canada and China — 25 percent for imports from Mexico and Canada, and 10 percent for those from China — starting on the first day of his administration on Jan 20.

In response to that, while saying that Mexico is willing to engage in talks on issues of concern, Sheinbaum suggested on Tuesday that Mexico could retaliate with tariffs of its own.

"One tariff would be followed by another in response, and so on until we put at risk common businesses," Sheinbaum said, referring to US automakers that have plants on both sides of the border.

All these should prompt the Mexican leader to realize that Mexico's interests can be best served by upholding its own strategic autonomy in dealing with international relations.

China and Mexico are good friends that trust each other and good partners seeking common development. Imports from China have played an important role in boosting the development of Mexico's manufacturing industry and improving its competitiveness in foreign trade, and brought about tangible benefit to the Mexican people.

China carries out trade cooperation with other countries in accordance with international rules and market principles, and mutual benefit is a defining feature of such cooperation. That being said, maintaining steady and sound economic and trade ties meets the common aspirations of both China and Mexico and serves the long-term interests of all sides. China stands ready to work with Mexico to uphold the sound momentum of bilateral trade and economic cooperation to boost the development of both countries. As a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, politicizing economic issues serves no one's interest.