"This treaty is part of our country’s strategy to seek a closer relationship with the Asia-Pacific," said President Alvarado when signing the treaty at a ceremony.
The World Trade Organization will grant Costa Rica ten days to file a response, and the countries will then have 60 days to negotiate a solution on the ban on Hass avocados.
The Agriculture Ministry said in a news release that officials are working on a protocol that would allow them negotiate the reopening of avocado imports from Mexico by midyear.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has called for “reversing” the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement, which many local leaders see as critical to Costa Rica’s economy. Others would love to see it go.
The United States took another step Tuesday to roll back restrictions with Cuba, opening financial channels for greater trade and clearing some obstacles to air travel.
Canada and Mexico won WTO approval Monday to impose some $1 billion a year in trade sanctions against the United States over its country-of-origin labeling requirement for beef and pork.
