President Felipe Calderon's government slapped punitive tariffs on U.S. pork products and other goods on Wednesday, aiming to hit exports from as many states as possible in a bid to push its main trading partner into allowing Mexican trucks full access to U.S. highways.
"Our hands will not tremble," Economy Minister Bruno Ferrari told foreign reporters at a news conference. "(The duties) will remain in place for as long as necessary."
Mexico has been angered by the United States' refusal to implement a provision of the North American Free Trade Agreement that would allow Mexican truckers to transport goods throughout the United States.
Washington has resisted implementing the agreement for a decade, citing safety concerns.
Mexico is the No. 2 market for U.S. pork exporters. Hog traders do not expect the dispute to greatly affect pork shipments to Mexico.
But other products could be harder hit. Ferrari said Mexican imports of the 89 U.S. goods subject to retaliatory tariffs imposed last year fell 81 percent.
Ferrari said Mexico would rotate products on the list of goods subject to duties without warning to keep the pressure on exporters.
In addition to hitting pork products, the tariffs are now being applied to gas masks, ketchup and grapefruit, among other products.
The latest dispute flared up after the U.S. Congress canceled funding last year for a pilot program started under President George W. Bush to open U.S. roads to Mexican trucks.
U.S. business groups say the trade dispute threatens thousands of jobs and officials in Washington have pledged to try to resolve the impasse (Reuters).
