Regional trade agreements: Economic Complementarity agreement
BETWEEN mexico and Cuba
(GOODS)

Note on the meeting of 15 November 2024

Chairperson: H.E. Mr Ram Prasad Subedi (Nepal)

1.  The Chairperson mentioned that the draft agenda for the 24^th Dedicated Session on Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) was contained in document _WTO/AIR/COMTD/RTA/19/Rev.1, circulated on 5 November 2024. An annotated draft agenda for this meeting had been circulated in document _JOB/COMTD/RTA/4. Under item 3 of the agenda, the Committee considered the Economic Complementarity Agreement Between Mexico and Cuba (Goods) (_WT/COMTD/RTA6/N/1, _WT/COMTD/RTA6/1). The present document contains the minutes relating to the consideration of this item.[1]

2.  The Chairperson noted that the Economic Complementarity Agreement between Mexico and Cuba was notified by Mexico under paragraph 4(a) of the enabling clause on 23 July 2019, and was contained in document _WT/COMTD/RTA6/N/1. The factual presentation on the agreement was prepared by the Secretariat in consultation with the parties concerned and was circulated on 4 September 2024 in document _WT/COMTD/RTA6/1. Since no questions were received on the factual presentation before the deadline of 2 October 2024, a "question and replies document" had not been prepared. Following usual practice, the Chairperson invited the parties to the agreement to take the floor.

3.  The Ambassador of Mexico delivered the following statement:

4.  I would like to extend a special thanks to the WTO Secretariat team for drawing up the factual presentation on the Economic Complementarity Agreement between Mexico and Cuba. I also wish to thank the Cuban delegation for the excellent coordination and the joint efforts. Mexico and Cuba are brother nations, as evidenced by more than 120 years of diplomatic relations, as well as our economic and trade relationship, which has grown stronger since 2001, when Economic Complementarity Agreement (ECA) No. 51 entered into force. The main objective of this ECA is to promote and diversify trade through the reduction or elimination of tariffs. The disciplines of the Agreement also regulate our trade, namely those on market access, the rules of origin regime, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, trade barriers, safeguard clauses, and dispute settlement. Since ECA No. 51 entered into effect, five Additional Protocols have been adopted, aimed at deepening and complementing the trade relationship. The first Additional Protocol amends the preference granted by Mexico to Cuba in Annex I A of "rum and other spirits obtained by distilling fermented sugar-cane products". The second Additional Protocol incorporates the rules of origin regime and customs procedures for the control and verification of the origin of goods. The third Additional Protocol contains the agreement not to subject bilateral trade to consular requirements, including associated charges; and establishes the Administrative Commission of the Agreement, together with its powers. Lastly, the fifth Additional Protocol modifies the requirements for completing the certificate of origin.

5.  The ECA has been of great benefit to both parties, allowing us to enhance our trade flows. We note that total trade increased by 63.18% between 2001, when it entered into effect, and 2023. Mexico grants preferential tariffs to Cuba on live animals (horses and chickens), shrimps and lobsters, glycerol, confectionery, frozen orange juice, rum, tobacco and cigars, marble slabs, sulphuric acid and medicaments, among others. In turn, Cuba grants preferential tariffs to Mexico on chickpeas and beans, lard, sulphur and siliceous meals, chemicals, resins and oils, herbicides, polymers, plastics, rubber and articles thereof, thread and bags of man-made materials, and parts of footwear. To conclude my statement, I would like to underscore that Cuba is an important strategic trading partner in the Caribbean and it is clear that we have more work to do on disciplines and foreign trade rules by updating, deepening and expanding our agreement to develop the potential of our economies. Mexico stands ready to continue working with Cuba in order to identify scenarios that will encourage our bilateral trade relationship to flourish.

6.  The representative of Cuba delivered the following statement:

7.  We thank the distinguished delegation of Mexico for the work and excellent cooperation it has shown in the bilateral process. The presentation given by the delegation of Mexico has addressed the key aspects of the agreement. My delegation therefore has no additional comments to make on the agreement.

8.  The representative of the United States delivered the following statement:

9.  The United States would like to thank the parties for this notification and for participating in this very valuable transparency exercise.

10.  The representative of India delivered the following statement:

11.  We would also like to thank the parties for their useful and comprehensive presentation of this agreement, which is a very interesting concept. Developing countries coming together and having these kinds of agreements under the enabling clause is a good display of how enabling clause flexibilities can be used by developing countries to their advantage.

12.  The representative of Brazil delivered the following statement:

13.  Brazil would like to commend the delegations of Mexico and Cuba, as well as the delegations that made subsequent comments. Brazil and Mexico are parties to ECAs Nos. 53, 54 and 55 of 2002. With Cuba, we have the 2006 MERCOSUR-Cuba Agreement, ECA No. 62. As my colleague from India has said, it is good to hear statements on this type of economic complementarity agreement in this room. This is entirely in keeping with what we are seeking in this Organization.

14.  The Chairperson expressed his thanks to the Ambassador of Mexico and the representative of Cuba for their presentations on the Economic Complementarity Agreement. He also thanked Members for their constructive interventions. He concluded the discussion on the Economic Complementarity Agreement between Mexico and Cuba, and noted that Members were invited to submit any follow-up questions in writing to the Secretariat by Friday, 22 November 2024. The parties to the agreement would then be requested to submit their written replies by Friday, 6 December 2024. In accordance with paragraph 13 of the Transparency Mechanism for RTAs, all written submissions as well as the minutes of this meeting will be circulated promptly in all WTO official languages and will be made available on the WTO website.

15.  The Committee took note of all interventions made.

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