The United States has invoked the T-MEC trade agreement to request “consultations” with the Mexican government in order to protect the endangered vaquita, the Office of the Trade Representative (USTR) announced Thursday.
Although Mexico has adopted measures against illegal fishing in the Upper Gulf of California to prevent the trafficking of protected species such as totoaba and to protect and conserve the vaquita, the most endangered marine mammal in the world, there is evidence that it may not be complying with its commitments, it says in a statement.
The “USTR is committed to protecting the environment and requests this consultation to ensure that Mexico complies with its environmental commitments of the T-MEC”, declares Katherine Tai. “We look forward to working with Mexico to address these issues.”
It is the first time that a government has invoked the environmental provisions of the trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada (T-MEC), which entered into force in July 2020.
The vaquita is an endemic species of the Upper Gulf of California, in Mexico. The most recent data indicates that at least six and probably fewer than 19 vaquitas remain, the statement said, according to which this mammal is largely threatened by illegal nets used to capture shrimp and totoaba.
“Scientists maintain that the species continues to be biologically viable, if given the space to recover,” the note explains.
In the “consultations” the United States also wants to address the illegal fishing of totoaba.
USTR Deputy Trade Representative Jayme White told reporters that Washington has “serious concerns about the enforcement of Mexico’s environmental laws” and that talks will focus on finding “a sustainable solution.”
Under the T-MEC the consultations must be held within 30 days and at least another 75 must pass before Washington can take more drastic measures.
If an agreement is not reached, it could impose tariffs, but senior USTR officials consider it premature to talk about sanctions.