• His counterpart received him at the White House. They signed a joint declaration acknowledging the progress of both nations towards a renewed and strengthened relationship

Washington, D.C., United States of America, July 8th, 2020.- "With agreements like this, and respecting our sovereign states, instead of distancing ourselves we are opting to walk together towards the future.  We want to privilege understanding.  That is what  unites us, as well as setting aside differences, or solving those differences through dialogue and mutual respect."

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said this during the joint message with the President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump, in the context of an official work visit that took place at the White House on the occasion of the entry into force of the USMCA.

The Mexican President remarked that the USMCA represents a great achievement for the benefit of the three nations and their populations. Besides, he added, it seeks to reverse the region's deficit imbalance in trade matters through the integration of economies and the improvement of production chains.

"This agreement is a great option for production, to create jobs, and to foster trade without having to go so far away from our homes, cities, states, and nations.  The import volumes that our countries buy from the rest of the world can be produced in North America at a lower transportation cost, with reliable suppliers for businesses, and with the employment of regional labor force."

In this sense, the head of the Federal Executive explained that the USMCA must comply with the production of goods with high regional content, seeking fair working conditions:

"The participation of workers in productive processes is just as important as the role of businesses and companies.  It would be insufficient for us to have capital and technology if we don’t have good workers that outstand because of their imagination, their talent, and their mystique when they do their work."

President Obrador recalled that, historically, the relationship between both countries has promoted a natural process of migration. This has led to a union by economic, commercial, social, cultural, and friendship ties:

"A community of about 38 million people has been formed here [in the United States], including the children of Mexican parents. It is a community of good and hard-working people who came to earn a living honestly, and who have contributed a lot to the development of this great nation. Likewise, in Mexico, more than in any other country in the world, 1.5 million Americans live and are part of our society."

Just as Mexican presidents such as Benito Juarez or Lazaro Cardenas del Rio did with their counterparts Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, respectively, President Lopez Obrador recognized in his counterpart Donald J. Trump the demonstrated understanding and respect for Mexico.

"Some thought that our ideological differences would inevitably lead to confrontation. Fortunately, that bad omen was not fulfilled and I consider that in the future there will be no reason or need to break our good political relations or the friendship between our Governments. "

Finally, President Obrador expressed his gratitude to the people and Government of the United States for the growing respect for our Mexican people, as well as for the support of President Trump has provided in various matters, among which he highlighted the acquisition of medical equipment for the care of seriously ill patients of COVID-19.

"But what I appreciate the most is that you have never sought to impose on us anything that violates our sovereignty ... You have not tried to treat us as a colony; rather, you have honored our status as an independent nation."

"That is why I am here: To express to the people of the United States that their President has behaved towards us with kindness and respect. He has treated us for what we are: a dignified, free, democratic, and sovereign country and people. "

Both Presidents signed a joint declaration acknowledging the progress of the two nations towards a renewed and strengthened relationship with the entry into force of the USMCA.

 

 

Press Release 1101.