Interview: Mexico eyes Asian markets to bolster economy: expert

The complicated relationship between Mexico and the United States, sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump's hostile protectionist policies and playground bullying tactics, has made Mexico rethink its relations with its northern neighbor, a Mexican trade expert told Xinhua.

The current Mexico-U.S. relationship has offered an opportunity "for us to realize that the Asian continent is also our neighbor," one that lies across the Pacific Ocean from Mexico's western coast, said Humberto Jaramillo Rodriguez, president of Tijuana's advocacy group Business Coordinating Council (CCE).

North Mexico's border city of Tijuana is on the frontline of the country's recent clashes with Trump over trade and immigration.

The city, in northern Baja California state, would be among the first affected by Trump's bid to curb trade and migration, and the construction of a border wall.

Jaramillo said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua that he would like to see Mexico attach more importance to Asian markets.

"Baja California, and Mexico in general, has great opportunities in cooperating with Asian countries like China. I believe that China and Mexico have opportunities for further development. For example, the television industry has seen the participation of Chinese companies," said Jaramillo.

Goods can be shipped from Baja California's port of Ensenada "to any country in Asia, the Pacific Ocean connects us in a faster way. Distance is no longer an impediment," said the advisor.

Similarly, Mexico can serve as a point of entry for Asian goods destined for the North American market, which would save Asian companies both time and money.

"Companies will find it more economical to import their supplies via this route," said Jaramillo.

The North American market, comprising Canada, Mexico and the United States, has a combined output of some 19 trillion U.S. dollars, and is home to 474 million consumers.

The CCE, together with the Mexican Business Council, has presented President Enrique Pena Nieto a project called "Force Mexico," which aims to promote the country's strengths.

Pena Nieto acknowledged the current tension in bilateral ties with the United States, but said his country will work to find common ground with the new U.S. administration, especially in renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a two-decade-old treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada.

According to Jaramillo, the relationship between Mexico and the United States should not be one of competition, but of cooperation. Securing a win-win agreement will benefit both sides.

Asked about Trump's proposal to impose tariffs on Mexican imports as a way to finance the border wall, he said the measure would only impact U.S. consumers by making "their products more expensive."

"It is possible that you can embrace globalization without disregarding the domestic market," as China has shown, noted Jaramillo. Endi