Biden Discussed Trade and Migration Issues with Mexican President

Migration, climate change, trade and manufacturing were the main themes of the first day of meetings between the leaders of the United States, Canada and Mexico, when the host, Mexican President Andres Manuel López Obrador, urged greater integration on the continent.

“Dear President Biden, I am sure you are a humanist president, a visionary president,” López Obrador said as the two leaders and their high-level delegations began the bilateral meeting. – The current situation is more conducive than ever to the initiation of a new policy of integration, of social and economic integration on our continent.”

Joe Biden and Lopez Obrador held the first of a series of meetings that are part of a regional summit of the three leaders. They will continue on Tuesday, already with the participation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Lopez Obrador called for greater economic integration on the continent.

“The moment has come when we must decide to end this neglect, this disregard,” he said. – With this abandonment of Latin America and the Caribbean, which goes against the policy of good neighborliness and the titans of freedom, starting with you, because there is no other leader who can carry out such a thing.”

The White House noted that the talks are subtle and complex.

“These are sensitive conversations, they are best conducted behind closed doors, but the president certainly considers them a key part of his economic agenda here,” National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters in Mexico City.

“This is a good opportunity for President Biden to deepen his personal contacts with President Lopez Obrador and Prime Minister Trudeau,” Sullivan told reporters. – Yesterday he had the opportunity to drive with President Lopez Obrador from the airport into town, which gave them a chance to have a face-to-face conversation about how they see the world, what they think. I think it was very helpful for both of them.”

Biden came to Mexico after visiting the Texas city of El Paso, where he saw firsthand the influx of thousands of illegal migrants crossing the border into Mexico.

After the visit, Biden wrote on Twitter that it was possible to secure the U.S.-Mexico border and make the immigration process “orderly, fair, safe and humane.”

“My administration is using every tool available to curtail illegal migration, expand legal opportunities for immigration, and improve security,” Biden said. – Our approach is based on a model that we know works. But to really fix our broken immigration system, Congress must take action.”