Mexican President Felipe Calderon on Monday defended a free-trade agreement with the U.S. and Canada, a week after local farm groups protested the removal of the pact's last remaining tariffs on foreign crops.
The North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, negotiated in 1993, has generally "been beneficial for Mexicans because it has given consumers access to a greater range of high-quality products at better prices," Calderon said in his first broadcast address of 2008.
"At the same time, it's allowed us to export more Mexican products," Calderon said.
On Jan. 1, Mexico abolished its last protective tariffs on basic crops like corn, beans and sugar, under the terms of NAFTA. Mexican farmers have complained they won't be able to compete with U.S. farmers who can sell cheaper products thanks to government subsidies.
Calderon said some of the crops were already imported tariff-free in 2007 without harming local farmers.
Last week, dozens of Mexican farm activists in Ciudad Juarez blocked one lane of the border bridge leading into El Paso, Texas, to protest the unrestricted imports of U.S. corn, as part of a 36-hour demonstration.
Mexico, the birthplace of corn, obtained a 15-year protection for sensitive farm crops when NAFTA was negotiated. Almost all the corn consumed in Mexico by humans is locally grown, but the country imports corn to feed animals.
NAFTA opened U.S. markets to Mexican crops like winter vegetables and avocados.Associated Press
