Towards a Common Tariff in North America – Editorial Blog – Nexos Magazine (in Spanish)
We share the article by Jaime Serra and Pedro Noyola, published in Nexos, where they propose transforming North America’s free trade area into a customs union anchored in a common tariff. This would help maintain the region’s competitiveness against individual countries like China and India, as well as economic blocs like the European Union.
Leycegui, Beatriz: Mexico-US, agreeing to disagree (in Spanish)
In free trade agreements, the agreed obligations are as important as the dispute settlement mechanisms (DSM) to be exercised in case of non-compliance. Some may consider that agreeing on the DSM during the trade negotiation is as anticlimactic as talking about divorce during a wedding sermon (Reisman and Weidman). However, having these mechanisms, which result […]
Government overlooks COFECE authorisation to regulate LPG prices
In the past few months, prices of LPG have risen to an all-time high. According to data reported by the Energy Regulatory Commission
(CRE), the average price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in June 2017 was 8.77 pesos ($0.43) per litre, while the average price in June
2021 was 12.94 pesos ($0.64).(1) In light of this, the Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE) launched an ongoing
investigation(2) on 31 May 2021 to determine whether effective competition conditions exist in the LPG market. COFECE is also
investigating possible anticompetitive behaviour in the market(3) similar to its previous studies, which provided multiple
recommendations to promote competition in the market.(4)
Business of sports under COFECE ruling on Mexican football league case
On 2 September 2021,(1) the Mexican Economic Competition Commission (COFECE) imposed fines on 17 football clubs from the Mexican
league, including the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) and eight individuals, for incurring in monopolistic practices (cartels) in the
men’s and women’s football players’ draft market.(2) The total amount of the imposed fines was 177.6 million Mexican pesos
($8,637,506.74).
Dish/América Móvil: analysis of incentives and contractual obligations to determine existence of concentrations in Mexico
The Federal Economic Competition Law (FECL)(1) considers a concentration to be any act between economic agents by which control is acquired or companies or assets are united. This concept includes acts that do not necessarily mean obtaining control through shareholding or transference of assets or shares but have similar effects.
COFECE hits pharmaceutical cartel with maximum fines and disqualifies senior executives
The Investigative Authority of the Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE) have fined the numerous actors involved in a case of collusion in the pharmaceutical sector, in which agreements had been made to manipulate the supply and pricing of medical products. In an unprecedented move, COFECE also disqualified 10 executives involved in the collusion. Their actions are considered to have done great financial damage to the public treasury and low-income families.
New law against improper advertising contracts has competition implications
After gaining fast-track approval, President López Obrador issued the Law for Transparency, Prevention and
Combating Improper Practices in Advertising Contracting (the Advertising Contracting Law) in the Official
Gazette on 3 June 2021. This will become effective on 2 September 2021 and will grant new powers to the
Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE) but may fall outside the constitutional objectives of the
competition authority. Application of the new law may be problematic and may disregard the competence of
the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT).
Plural Congress = Investment (in Spanish)
If the balance between the power of the President and Congress is restored, we will have greater certainty for investors.
Energy and Trade Agreements: everyone’s business (in Spanish)
It is necessary to raise awareness about the implications of the electricity reform initiative being discussed in the Senate. May reason prevail.
COFECE releases market study on food and beverage sector
On 4 November 2020 the Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE) released a market study on
the food and beverage sector (specifically, focusing on the ‘modern channel’ that is, self-service stores).
COFECE considered the study relevant.
