US, Mexico resume high-level trade talks halted during Trump era

The United States and Mexico on Thursday resumed high-level economic talks for the first time in four years since the beginning of the Trump administration. 

Vice President Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken were included as part of the U.S. team. Mexico’s Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard and Economy Secretary Tatiana Clouthier were also involved, representing the border country, according to Reuters.

The negotiations, referred to as the High-Level Economic Dialogue talks, will seek to cover various subjects including climate change, workers’ rights and the ongoing immigration issue. 

This is the first time the two countries have resumed talks since 2017 when former President Trump, often a harsh critic of Mexico, halted the dialogue.  

Harris, according to the wire service, said that much had changed since 2017 when the countries entered into this particular dialogue. She added that coronavirus has thrown a curve ball into the global economy.

The pandemic has prompted the rise of cyberattacks which, in turn, have disrupted supply chains. 

The vice president said that for this reason, the U.S. and Mexico should come together to address the problem. 

“Mexico is our closest neighbor … and a strategic partner and one of our most important economic relationships. Mexico’s economic stability is in the interest of the United States. We talked about this in Mexico City, 18 states in the United States count Mexico as their first or second export destination. One billion dollars crosses our shared border every day,” Harris said, according to the news outlet.  

“This high level economic dialogue is an opportunity to deepen our ties and advance our collective goals. Together, we will strengthen supply chain resilience. Together, we will modernize our hemispheric infrastructure.”

The two countries have planned to discuss major economic issues including building a more resilient supply chain along the border; a more sustainable economy and social development in Mexico and Central American countries; and building on cybersecurity and workforce development, according to Reuters. 

A senior administration official told reporters in a conference call Wednesday that both the U.S. and Mexico’s goals in the talks is to find a constructive resolution to the issues. 

“We made clear that they could raise any issue of concern, and that we would raise issues of concern. And then we would look to find ways to find constructive resolution along with these issues,” the senior administration official said. 

The senior administration official also said that investing in communities is the “only sustainable way” to address the migration issue long term.