Yesterday, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews delivered welcoming remarks at the Association for Mexican Entrepreneurs 20th Anniversary Leadership Summit. In his address, Deputy Secretary Andrews emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Mexican trade relationship, and the successes of the U.S.-Mexico High Level Economic Dialogue (HLED). HLED was established by President Obama and President Peña Nieto in 2013, and looks to catalyze the commercial relationship between the U.S. and Mexico.
In addition, the Deputy Secretary highlighted the benefits of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and the advantages its passage poses for both countries. As partners of the 12-country agreement, Deputy Secretary Andrews concluded his remarks by outlining how the TPP strengthens commercial ties and fosters economic prosperity. In closing, Deputy Secretary Andrews affirmed the Department of Commerce’s commitment to passing TPP, and to investing in the U.S.-Mexico trade relationship.
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Good evening and thank you for that kind introduction. It is always great to see my friend and former Commerce colleague, Michael Camuñez.
Michael was a champion of the U.S.-Mexico relationship within the Department and continues to be a leader in creating new commercial ties between our two countries. It is a real pleasure to be here with you tonight to celebrate the 20thanniversary of the Association of Mexican Entrepreneurs.
Over the last two decades, your work to build commercial relationships between the United States and Mexico has been both meaningful and impactful. I want to thank the Honorable Carlos Sada, Mexican Ambassador to the United States, and the Honorable José Paulo Carreño, Under Secretary for North America at the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs for joining us. I also want to acknowledge Dr. Javier Martínez and the Association of Mexican Entrepreneurs for organizing this program. Finally, I want to thank all of you, business leaders from the United States and Mexico that have gathered here in Washington.
I don’t have to tell you how crucial the economic relationship between Mexico and the United States is. The bonds between our two countries have grown stronger over these last eight years.
When President Obama took office, most of the conversation around our relationship focused on our 2,000-mile border – and not on the billions of dollars’ worth of trade between our countries. Last year, our relationship generated more than $580 billion in two-way trade.
As you all know, there are millions of people in both countries that are employed because of trade, as well as Mexican trade and investment in the United States and U.S. investment in Mexico. Our economies are so intertwined that we do not just trade with each other – we build things – together.
Under President Obama and Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, the United States has made the economic relationship between the United States and Mexico a top priority. The creation of the U.S.-Mexico High Level Economic Dialogue, or the HLED, demonstrates our two countries’ commitment to achieving economic prosperity together.
The most recent HLED meeting took place this past February in Mexico City. From workforce development to regulatory cooperation, our governments reaffirmed their commitment to continue commercial cooperation. The results speak for themselves. Because of the cooperation facilitated by HLED, our two nations are working together more effectively and more collaboratively than any time in recent memory. That’s why President Obama and President Peña Nieto issued a Joint Declaration in July, illustrating the commitment of our two governments to continue the HLED into future administrations.
What is truly exciting to me – and I am sure all of you in this room – is that our economic partnership has prepared both our countries to compete together in the 21st century.
Perhaps there is no greater example of this than the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The TPP negotiations showed the might of our bilateral relationship on the world stage. As partners in the 12 country agreement, together we are setting the rules of the road in the Asia-Pacific – a region that is home to some of the fastest growing markets anywhere in the world.
The story of our growing economic partnership deserves greater attention and there is a great deal of heated rhetoric around trade. We need to do a better job of telling the benefits of trade. After all, this agreement is not about benefitting governments – it’s about benefitting businesses and people in both our countries.
Let me close with this: the United States and Mexico trade with each other more than ever. We invest in each other more than ever. We produce together more than ever. But this is just the beginning.
Through TPP and through our continued collaboration in the HLED, I am confident that we will also: grow together – creating business environments that attract new investments; trade together – increasing the flow of goods and services across our border; and compete together – bringing the benefits of the rapidly evolving global economy to our people.
Our presence here tonight is testament to our continued commitment to these shared ideals. Thank you.
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce
