P.M. BRIEFING : U.S., Mexico OK Free Trade Talks
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WASHINGTON — The United States and Mexico today agreed to open talks on a free trade agreement aimed at gradually eliminating tariffs between the two neighbors.
The announcement was made by the Mexican Embassy on the first full day of Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari’s three-day visit to Washington.
“The presidents agreed that the greatest possible mutual benefit would derive from a free trade agreement that entails the gradual and comprehensive elimination of trade barriers between the two countries . . . ,” a joint statement released by the Mexican Embassy said.
Bush and the 42-year-old, Harvard-educated Mexican leader met Sunday night for a private dinner at the start of Salinas’ visit to the United States.
Trade between the two nations, which share a 2,000-mile border, is about $52 billion a year, making Mexico the United States’ third-largest commercial partner behind Canada and Japan.
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