Mexico looks forward to working with the incoming U.S. administration on maintaining and improving binational relations but will continue to insist on a partnership based on respect, said the country’s top diplomat.
Moreover, said Claudia Ruiz Massieu, Mexico’s minister of foreign relations, the 22-year-old free trade agreement between the two countries, and also Canada, is not “renegotiable,” a point that President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly made.
She said the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, has been beneficial to the three countries by creating jobs and boosting economic growth but the agreement could be modernized with changes in standards and other criteria.
Her visit to Tucson — her second within a year and on the heels of a visit to Tucson by Mexico’s ambassador to the U.S. earlier this week — comes at a time when the U.S.-Mexico relationship will be tested with Trump’s election.
The real estate magnate made Mexico a target in his campaign and since his election has said he intends to renegotiate or even abandon NAFTA, and to erect more border barriers, and toughen immigration laws and enforcement.
Ruiz Massieu said both her country and the United States have a long history of mutual cooperation to address common challenges and opportunities, based on a strategic relationship.
“We have shared values and aspirations,” said Ruiz Massieu in a press conference at the Mexican consulate office on East Broadway. “We are committed to making sure that our priorities are put on the table and to find commonalities so we can work together to ensure that our region remains competitive, that our relationship continues to grow, that our common border is safe and more efficient, and that we can do it together.”
She added that her office’s objective and the objective of all 50 Mexican consulates in United State is not only to focus on the relationship with American government but with American people.
“It’s important to us to talk to American people about how this is a strategic and beneficial relationship to the USA as well, not only to Mexico.”
After the press conference she immediately departed for Hermosillo, Sonora, to attend a joint conference of the Arizona-Mexico and Sonora-Arizona commissions with Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Sonora Gov. Claudia Pavlovich.
The conference, which was held in Scottsdale last year, largely focuses on international trade and binational relations.
In addition, Ruiz Massieu will meet with the heads of Mexico’s 13 border consulates to discuss Mexico’s plans to reinforce its services to Mexican communities north of the border.
Mexico is girding itself for stepped up deportations of Mexicans and civil rights issues of Mexican nationals in the U.S.
“Mexico will not take any step back of protecting its dignity,” said Ruiz Massieu.
