[NYTr] Mexico and Argentina discuss integration of car industries

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

AP via The International Herald Tribune - July 30, 2007
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/30/business/LA-FIN-Mexico-Argentina.php

Mexico and Argentina discuss integration of car industries

The Associated Press

MEXICO CITY: Mexico and Argentina said Monday they are negotiating a
free trade accord for vehicles and car parts that would make foreign
car companies with factories in those countries more efficient.

"It's an agreement we know will benefit both countries enormously,"
President Felipe Calderon said in a news conference with Argentina's
leader, Nestor Kirchner. "We could have a huge potential for growth in
this area."

The pact would include U.S., Japanese and German companies, and
Brazil ? a major car producer ? could also join, Calderon said. He said
it would make it easier for the companies to streamline their
operations and specialize in particular models or parts and to
transport them to other markets.

The announcement came Monday as Calderon and Kirchner ? who was joined
by his wife, Cristina Fernandez, a presidential candidate ? signed a
broad "strategic association accord," pledging greater political and
economic cooperation.

Kirchner also said he would personally help Mexico improve relations
with leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and that Mexico has an
open invitation to join the South American trade bloc Mercosur.

Calderon and his predecessor, Vicente Fox, have had rocky relations
with Chavez, who accused Fox of being subservient to the United States.