[Text/Observer Network Qi Qian] According to a May 22 report by the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, Jesus Sead, the Mexican Ambassador to China, stated at an event held in Beijing on the 21st that Mexico will not take sides in the US-China tariff war and is committed to promoting agricultural product exports to China.

The report noted that Sead acknowledged the United States as Mexico's largest trading partner but emphasized that Mexico is dedicated to maintaining close relations with China.

"There is no doubt that the United States is our top partner in commerce, politics, and all other fields," Sead said. "But this does not mean we will take sides. If they (the United States) are angry with China, do we also have to be angry with China? Absolutely not."

Sead mentioned that while Mexico openly recognizes the United States as its closest partner, it also has an "open-minded" attitude, meaning Mexico wishes to conduct business and cooperation with many other countries. He specifically mentioned China.

He said, "We hope to establish political friendships with many countries around the world, especially China. China is a powerful giant and a strong partner; we have had a friendship and cooperation with China for 500 years."

Sead reiterated, "I believe we will never take sides between China and the United States. Of course, not in military or similar areas, let alone from a commercial perspective."

Sead attended the event in Beijing on the 21st. Video screenshot.

At the event, Sead suggested that China and Mexico can work together to increase Mexican agricultural exports to China.

He said, "For example, Mexico is the world's largest producer and exporter of avocados. Avocados are our pride, but our export volume to China is far lower than that of other countries. This is really absurd."

The report cited a report released last July stating that China replaced Japan as the largest avocado importer in Asia in 2023, with more than 76% of avocado imports coming from Peru, followed by Chile and Kenya. The report also mentioned that China signed a free trade agreement with Peru in 2009 but has not signed such an agreement with Mexico.

In response, Sead said that similar free trade agreements would help Mexican agricultural exports to China and called for China's assistance in finding ways to export more agricultural products. He said, "So I think we can export more agricultural products... We must awaken exporters to make greater efforts, and China can also find ways to help us, not through tariffs, but through regulation and internal promotion."

According to the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic relations were established between China and Mexico in 1972 and upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013.

China is Mexico's second-largest global trading partner, and Mexico is China's second-largest trading partner in South America. Data shows that the total trade volume between China and Mexico reached 109.426 billion USD in 2024, including 90.232 billion USD in exports from China and 19.195 billion USD in imports. China mainly exports electronic components, kitchenware, motor vehicle parts, etc., to Mexico, while importing crude oil, electrical equipment, medical instruments, etc., from Mexico.

The South China Morning Post reported that US President Trump wielded the tariff stick against the entire world, leading to an escalation of trade tensions between China and the United States. Earlier this month, China and the United States agreed to a "temporary ceasefire," but ongoing trade tensions have spread to multiple geopolitical domains, intensifying competition between the two countries for influence in the Global South and with important trade partners like Mexico.

After the United States issued repeated tariff threats, Mexican President López Obrador stated in March that Mexico was at a critical moment, and additional tariffs from the United States would affect Mexico's future. Mexico would not yield. She also stated that if necessary, Mexico would seek other trade partners.

According to information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard in Beijing on May 14th.

Wang Yi said that China is willing to strengthen unity and cooperation with Mexico and communication and coordination within multilateral frameworks, jointly safeguarding their respective legitimate rights and interests, adhering to practicing multilateralism, resisting and opposing unilateral actions, maintaining the rules of free trade, advocating equal and orderly multipolarity in the world, and inclusive and beneficial economic globalization. China welcomes more high-quality Mexican products entering the Chinese market and encourages Chinese enterprises to invest and start businesses in Mexico, believing that Mexico will provide friendly and stable business environments. As two ancient civilizations with deep roots, China and Mexico should enhance cultural exchanges and further facilitate people-to-people exchanges.

Ebrard said that Sino-Mexican friendship has a long history, and both sides share similar ideas and mutual respect. Mexico is willing to work with China to maintain the multilateral system and the international order based on rules. Mexico adheres to sovereign independence and will continue to uphold the one-China policy, which is an established foreign policy. Mexico is committed to further enhancing connectivity, science and technology, agriculture, tourism, direct flights, and other forms of cooperation between the two countries, enriching the connotations of Sino-Mexican relations.

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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7507285607849198092/

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