We are aiming to return to the terms of our Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States, which means zero tariffs on 98% of the universe of products covered by our bilateral trade,
The government official indicated that
a series of matters are being negotiated with the North American country. These are not necessarily related to the USTR (United States Trade Representative) report on what they call non-tariff barriers to market access for their products, which are linked to piracy and informality.
"We are negotiating other types of issues to lower and reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers to bilateral trade as much as possible," Schialer noted.
"They have realized that we do not represent, let's call it, a commercial threat to them, as they have maintained a structural surplus for many years," he pointed out.
In an interview with a local television outlet, the minister spoke about Peru's relations with the U.S. and China.
The diplomat noted that Peru's foreign policy follows a strategy of active neutrality, which prioritizes mutual benefit with other countries but, above all, the interests of the Peruvian State and our citizens.
Brazil–China railway corridor
At another point, the minister once again commented on the memorandum of understanding between Brazil and China to study the feasibility of a railway corridor that will connect the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic Ocean.
The Cabinet member noted this is a matter the governments of Peru and Brazil have been looking into for at least 20 years.
The diplomat added that the profitability of this project must be taken into account given its high cost.
"If this is a private initiative, privately funded, with Brazilian, Chinese, or international capital in general, then it is welcome, because all of that generates well-being and development for Peru," he concluded.