b'3.1. The EUs arms-length relationship in trade 3.1.1 Case Studies3.1.1.1. Case Study: MexicoConsequently, all manufacturing exports fromMexico have benefited from tariff-free access As shown above, a countryto the EU market since 2003 i.e. no tariffs at can be outside the EU all. In agriculture and fisheries, both parties and geographically andhave committedto reducing tariffs on most politically separate anditems. distantyet still have extensive free trade with the EU. One such is Mexico, withAs of April 2018, trade in goods between the which the EU signed a free trade agreementEU and Mexico had risen by 148% since the (FTA) in December 1999. That FTA, whichexisting EU-Mexico Trade Agreement came came into force in October 2000, stated ainto force in 2000.7 In 2017, the total value of goal of ending tariff and non-tariff barriers,two-way trade in goods between the EU and including customs duties, anti-dumpingMexico reached a new high of 61.7 billion, measures and technical regulations. Itand continues to grow.8Investment flows contains provisions, inter alia, for thebetween the EU and Mexico are increasingly liberalisation of market access in publicreciprocal, with growing Mexican direct procurement, intellectual property rights,investment in the EU. In 2015, Mexican investment, financial services, technicalcompanies had made investments totalling barriers to trade in industrial and agriculturalsome 16 billion in EU countries.9In 1999, goods, telecommunications and informationthe total value of Mexico-EU two-way trade services, agriculture and dispute settlement.was only 16.7 billion. The agreement also includes components in which the parties agree to increaseIn summary, the EU-Mexico Trade Agreement cooperation in mining, energy, transportation,clearly demonstrates that a country on a tourism, statistics, science and technology,distant continent from Europe canwithout and the environment.6 being a part of the political constructthat is the EUhave a trade agreement with the EU which eliminates tariffs and operates successfully.70'