MEXICO CITY — US Energy Secretary
Jennifer Granholm
said Friday she had raised the
Joe Biden administration's "real
concerns" about Mexico's planned energy sector reforms, stepping up
pressure on the major trading partner.
اضافة اعلان
Mexican President
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's push to
boost the state's role in the energy industry has alarmed foreign investors and
environmentalists, who see the moves as favoring fossil fuels over renewable
energy.
Granholm said she had held "frank and respectful
dialogue" with Lopez Obrador and other senior officials during a two-day
visit to Mexico City.
"In each meeting, we expressly conveyed the
Biden-Harris Administration's real concerns with the potential negative impact
of Mexico's proposed energy reforms on US private investment in Mexico,"
she said in a statement.
"The proposed reform could also hinder US-Mexico joint
efforts on clean energy and climate," she added.
Granholm said that during her talks she was "assured
that Mexico is committed to supporting clean energy and resolving current
disputes with energy projects within the rule of law."
The reforms championed by Lopez Obrador seek to strengthen
the state-owned electricity provider and roll back the effects of
liberalization that the leftist president says favored private companies.
The moves have prompted warnings that Mexico is in danger of
violating its trade commitments by favoring state-run entities heavily
dependent on fossil fuels.
Canada, the third member in a North American trade deal with
Mexico and the United States, has also voiced concerns.
Lopez Obrador told reporters that it had been agreed with
Granholm to review on a case-by-case basis complaints from US and Canadian
companies "where they consider that there is an injustice."
He said he had explained to the US energy secretary why the
reforms were needed and "the impact that corruption has had on the Mexican
energy sector."
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