US President Barack Obama and his Mexican counterpart vowed on Thursday to put trade back at the core of their relations and to work together in the drug war as Mexico rolls out a new security strategy.
After almost seven years of bloodshed by drug gangs that has left 70,000 people dead, the two leaders sought to turn the spotlight back on their US$500 billion economic bond as they met in Mexico City’s historic National Palace.
“Mexico and the United States have one of the largest, most dynamic relationships of any two countries on Earth,” Obama told a news conference with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.
“And yet, we all don’t always hear about all aspects of these extraordinary ties because too often, two issues get attention: security or immigration.”
Obama and Pena Nieto announced the creation of a high-level economic forum to deepen trade ties that have soared under the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta), which includes Canada.
But the battle against drug cartels remained at the forefront of their talks, as the two countries adjust to Pena Nieto’s decision to put control of Mexico’s security strategy in the hands of his powerful interior ministry.