REPORT | July 2021
The Center for Binational Institutions is devoted to promoting a better understanding of the bilateral institutions between Mexico and the United States. Our monthly newsletter presents the relevant events between US-MEXICO bilateral institutions.
1) DHS Secretary Mayorkas’ visit to Mexico (06.15.21) Learn more
Institutional context - On February 2nd, 2021, Alejandro Mayorkas became the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary. The DHS functions as an American counterpart for the Mexican Secretariat of Finance and Public Credit; the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs and the Secretariat of the Interior.
Secretary Mayorkas’ visit to Mexico - On June 15th, 2021 there was a meeting between the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Marcelo Ebrard, and the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, with DHS Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas. The meeting was part of the ongoing high-level dialogue that exists between both nations to advance towards orderly, safe, and regular migration.
2) United States – Mexico Defense Bilateral Working Group (06.17.21) Learn more
Institutional context - In August 2019, the Trump Administration and the Mexican government created a High-Level Working Group whose focus was security and that included the Mérida Initiative as a central aspect of the bilateral efforts. The purpose of this working group is to build a common understanding of challenges and to identify and implement initiatives to promote bilateral defense cooperation.
Tenth meeting of the United States – Mexico Bilateral Defense Working Group - The meeting took place on June 17th, 2021, and was co-hosted under Secretary for Policy, Dr. Colin Kahl, and Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, Mr. Ronald Moultrie. From the Mexican side participated Major General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, Chief of Staff of the Mexican Secretariat of National Defense, and Vice Admiral Luis Javier Robinson Portillo Villanueva, Chief of Staff of the Mexican Secretariat of the Navy.
3) AMLO- U.S Senators Meeting (07.5.21) Learn more
Institutional context - Cooperation on migration between the U.S. and Mexico has always taken place through institutions, such as the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID in Spanish), and programs like the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) in Northern Central America. The AMEXCID was created on September 28th, 2011, and is a decentralized body of the Ministry of Foreign Relations. The CDP in Northern Central America was created in 2018, and seeks to create a space for sustainable development.
AMLO - U.S Senators Meeting - The meeting between AMLO and the bipartisan U.S. Senators took place on July 5th, 2021, in the Mexican National Palace. The participants discussed the relevance of mechanisms to address the structural causes of migration; the economy and trade; the opening of the border; and the USMCA.
4) USMCA Meeting: Ministry Level (07.7.21) Learn more
Institutional context - The USMCA was signed on November 30th, 2018 and entered into force on July 1st, 2020. This agreement is built on the basis of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), with updated trade provisions and trilateral commitments.
USMCA Meeting: Ministry Level - The trade ministers of the U.S., Mexico and Canada met in Mexico City on July 7th to commemorate the first year anniversary of the USMCA entering into force. The Ministers discussed opportunities to strengthen the trilateral relationship and ensure the long-term growth and competitiveness of the region, working to build a more inclusive and resilient North American economic partnership.
