Mexico dismisses Trump's proposed tariffs on imported autos
Mexico City, May 26 : Mexico's Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo has dismissed as "bombast" the latest US proposal to impose tariffs on imports of foreign vehicles and auto parts.
Appearing on a television news show on Friday, the minister, who heads Mexico's negotiating team in talks with the US and Canada to renegotiate the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), rejected the idea of introducing a new, higher tax on vehicles imported into the US, Xinhua reported.
"What one has to understand is that our strategy and negotiating process cannot change because of this bombast that they launched over there," said Guajardo.
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he has instructed Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross to consider initiating a national security investigation into automobile imports.
Ross has initiated a so-called Section 232 investigation into the national security implications of automobile imports, according to the US Commerce Department.
Guajardo ridiculed the idea, joking that "over there, on the comedy shows, they say that having a Mercedes in Manhattan is a national security risk."
The US proposal was widely seen as an attempt to pressure Mexico into agreeing to other US demands, such as changes to the rules of origin for automobiles, but the tactic failed to sway Mexico.
"The more noise this bombast makes, the more we should concentrate and commit to a solid, well thought out strategy," Guajardo added.
He estimated there is a 40 per cent chance NAFTA's partners will be able to negotiate a new deal before Mexico holds presidential elections on July 1.
The trade deal has been under negotiation since August on the insistence of Trump, who believes the terms benefit Mexico and Canada at his country's expense.
According to Mexico, NAFTA has benefited the North American automobile industry as a whole, today the world's third-largest, after the European Union and China.
Each US-made automobile contains $3,800-worth of Mexican parts, while each Mexican-made vehicle contains $5,500-worth of US parts, Mexican government figures show.
The NAFTA region manufactures 18 million vehicles a year, with 12.5 million produced in the US.
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Punjab CM Mann lays foundation stone of Rs 14.63 crore sports stadium in Sangrur
Sangrur (PTI): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday laid the foundation stone of a Rs 14.63 crore modern sports stadium here, underscoring that expanding access to quality playgrounds alongside a strong education system is key to steering the youth towards "purpose, performance, and global achievement".
The stadium coming up on 4.38 acres in Satouj will offer professional training and host a wide range of sports including badminton, handball, judo, netball, basketball, volleyball, football, gymnastics, kabaddi and karate, according to an official release.
"It is a historic day for the region as this stadium is coming up at a cost of Rs 14.63 crore. This stadium will be constructed over an area of 4.38 acres, and the complex will host various sporting activities," Mann said.
"The stadium will have a 200-metre athletic track, pavilion for spectators and players and a multipurpose indoor sports hall," he said.
While highlighting the wide range of facilities being created, Mann said professional training opportunities will be provided to children and youngsters in the stadium, adding that this project will ensure that the area emerges as a sports hub.
Emphasising the importance of balanced development, he said, "When there is a good school for education and a proper ground for sports, a child can bring glory to their village, state, and country on the global stage."
Reaffirming the Punjab government's focus on youth development, Mann said, "It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that the Punjab government is successfully providing world-class facilities for education and sports."
This project will help in further breaking the backbone of drugs by fostering sporting culture in the state, and it will help in channelising the unbounded energy of youth of state in a positive manner, he said.
Such stadiums will play an important role in helping the youth stay away from the curse of drugs and in order to encourage the youngsters to realise their dreams of winning medals in national and international sporting events, the CM said.
Later, Mann launched an ultra-modern community health centre here that aims to benefit the residents of 85 villages. It is equipped with round-the-clock emergency services, surgical facilities, treatment for serious illnesses and specialist care for children, he said.
Mann alleged that previous governments neglected regions like Dirba and kept development restricted. He said his government is reversing this by investing public money back into villages through hospitals, schools, libraries and roads.
"To impart quality health services to people, we have dedicated the CHC at village Kauhrian... This ambitious project has been completed at a cost of Rs 13.23 crore and the centre has a capacity of 30 beds," he said.
He further noted, "The CHC will also have paediatric specialists for treating children's diseases, and free treatment along with all necessary tests for mothers and children will be provided."
Mann added that dental treatment will also be provided by a specialist at the facility.
