U.S., Mexico Pledge Cooperation On Heels Of Trade Deal

WASHINGTON, DC — President Donald Trump and Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on Wednesday signed a joint declaration of friendship and cooperation following the implementation of the new North American trade agreement.

The new agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada went into effect July 1. It replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Trump, who has denigrated Mexican migrants and threatened the U.S. ally with crippling tariffs, welcomed López Obrador to the White House, calling America's southern neighbor a cherished partner. Trump said the countries' economic and security relationship was reaching new heights.

López Obrador had cordial words for Trump, too, the Associated Press reported, saying that while the two leaders have disagreed, it was better to find common ground and avoid slinging insults.

“Instead of remembering the insults, things like that, against me, we have received from you President Trump an understanding and respect,” López Obrador said. “Some people thought ideological difference differences would inevitably lead to confrontations.

With the United States looking to reduce its supply chain in China, Mexico is well-positioned to step into the void, senior administration officials told AP reporters on a call outlining the visit.

Cooperation between the two countries have allowed the flow of goods to continue across the U.S.-Mexico border despite shutdowns caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to the White House.

Mexico is the largest U.S. trading partner in goods, and during the pandemic the two nations have worked closely to keep supply chains going so plants in both countries would not have to close because of a lack of parts from the other, officials told AP.

Mexicans, however, remain wary of Trump, who has repeatedly taken shots at Mexico and Mexican migrants to rally his most loyal supporters.

López Obrador arrived at the White House after morning stops at the Lincoln Memorial and a statue of Benito Juarez, a former Mexican president and national hero.

About 20 U.S. and Mexican businessmen and women, including Carlos Slim, one of the richest men in the world, were to join the presidents for a working dinner, AP reported.

In a letter to Trump last week, a dozen Democratic members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus denounced the meeting with Mexico’s president as an effort to distract voters from rising cases of coronavirus in the United States, according to AP.

The letter said it was a “blatant attempt” to politicize relations between the allies.