UNITED STATES + MEXICO: POLICY IN THE FIRST 100 DAYS
The Pacific Council on International Policy has presented a First 100 Days Memo on U.S.-Mexico Policy to the Biden administration, outlining recommendations on trade, immigration, and diplomacy, as well as urging President Joe Biden to take immediate action to strengthen the bilateral relationship from the outset of his term. In the first virtual event of a series of three about the memo's recommendations, this event was framed as a policy briefing, where experts shared their recommendations as if they were presenting for the Biden administration. Audience members were encouraged to submit their questions as if they were members of the president's cabinet.
Speakers included Dr. Pamela Starr, Associate Professor of International Relations at USC and Senior Adviser at Monarch Global Strategies, and Patrick Schaefer, Chief Legal Officer at Supply Chain Capital Partners. Council Director Michael Camuñez provided opening remarks.
Learn about the memo and its contributors here.
Watch the full conversation below:
Through careful messaging, consistent focus on the relationship, and early symbolic and substantive actions, President Biden has the opportunity to reframe the relationship as one of strategic partnership. The Council’s Mexico Advisory Committee has commissioned a report focusing on actions recommended by Mexico policy experts and informed citizens that President Biden and his team can take to improve the relationship with Mexico during the first 100 days of his administration. Read the memo here.
The memo's recommendations fall under four broad themes:
Re-emphasize Washington’s view of Mexico as a key strategic partner. Convene reciprocal visits by heads of state, assign key Cabinet officials to move the relationship in a positive direction, launch a high-level bilateral forum for collaboration in key areas of common interest, and develop a joint response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Strengthen the North American region. Through the USMCA trade agreement, engage Mexico in actions designed to resolve problems and facilitate regional collaboration while sending a strong signal to our trade competitors, embracing a North American identity, and hosting a North America Summit as soon as it is safe and practical to do so.
Design immigration solutions in partnership with Mexico. Work with Mexico on a counter-pandemic border strategy, development programs for Central America to stem the flow of migrants moving north, and contingency plans for a potential post-COVID-19 immigration surge.
Partner with Mexico on issues beyond security and trade. Make educational and cultural exchanges key components of the bilateral relationship and support subnational efforts to improve the relationship.
Learn more about the Mexico Initiative.
