MEXICO CITY (Kyodo) Mexico will end negotiations with Japan for a free-trade agreement if the two countries fail to reach a deal by the end of March, Mexican Economy Secretary Fernando Canales said here Thursday.
"Our perspective is to reach a definitive solution in these three months," Canales told a news conference.
It is the first time that Mexico has presented a deadline for the negotiations.
Japan and Mexico had planned to sign an FTA during Mexican President Vicente Fox's visit to Japan in October, but the two countries missed the target due to differences over farm products, including orange juice and pork.
"There are five farm products which Japan has not yet conceded for us, though we consider Japan could do so," Canales said.
The five products are orange juice, oranges, pork, chicken and beef.
Mexico is calling on Japan to remove tariffs on orange juice and oranges, and to expand tariff-free import quotas for pork, chicken and beef.
Japan and Mexico are expected to hold working-level negotiations starting Jan. 26 in Tokyo, according to negotiation sources.
But it remains unclear if the two sides can strike an FTA by the deadline, particularly after failing to bridge the gap over the key farm products despite the vice-ministerial talks in December.
Seiji Murata, vice minister of economy, trade and industry, said in December that the two countries are unlikely to conclude an FTA at an early date in 2004.