XINHUA — Brazil’s government on Monday announced it has formally begun negotiating a free trade agreement with Mexico.

Marcos Troyjo, special secretary for foreign trade and international affairs of the Brazilian Ministry of Economy, told reporters that the talks are aimed at boosting trade with Mexico, especially in the area of agricultural products.

In mid-March, a limited free trade agreement on the importation of automobiles and auto parts between Brazil and Mexico — Latin America’s two biggest economies — came into force.

Last week, Brazil and Argentina signed an agreement to have free trade in the automobile sector by the year 2029.