U.S. Wants Closer Energy Ties With Mexico as New NAFTA Talks Loom

MEXICO CITY -- The United States and Mexico are looking to boost energy ties as the two countries prepare for the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, officials said Thursday.U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry, who met in Mexico with his counterpart, Pedro Joaquin Coldwell, called the United States' southern neighbor "a very, very important partner" on energy.Joaquin Coldwell said his country plans two new pipelines to import U.S. natural gas in addition to the 17 that already exist.Mexico's energy sector was wholly state-run for decades until a 2013 energy overhaul allowed some private-sector activity, and Perry noted that NAFTA did not cover energy when the trade pact was implemented in 1994."I'm very supportive of the renegotiation," Perry said. "To renegotiate this is good for all participants, particularly in the energy sector."The talks, expected to begin about a month from now, will also include Canada, NAFTA's third partner.  Continue reading...