Arizona-Mexico Relations at the Forefront

Last week, a high-profile U.S. congressional delegation met with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum in Mexico City to fortify ties between Arizona and Mexico ahead of Mexico's presidential transition.

Senator Mark Kelly and Representative Greg Stanton, both Democrats from Arizona, joined the bipartisan, bicameral delegation. Their discussions focused on critical issues including migration, water resources, and nearshoring, the strategic relocation of business operations from the U.S. to Mexico.

 

Historic Delegation Visit

Stanton noted that this was the most significant delegation to visit Mexico City since Sheinbaum's election and likely the last before her inauguration in October. "She was genuinely interested in enhancing the working relationship with the United States and members of Congress," Stanton remarked. "The meeting was productive both in terms of relationship building and substantive discussion."

 

Sheinbaum's Historic Win

Claudia Sheinbaum made history as Mexico’s first female president-elect following an election marked by unprecedented voter participation. On June 2, nearly 60 million Mexicans voted, electing a record number of women and a majority of left-wing candidates from the ruling party, Morena.

 

Arizona-Mexico Economic Bonds

Stanton highlighted that the discussions heavily centered on Arizona's economic ties with Mexico. "We talked extensively about building a long-term and durable security relationship in North America involving the United States, Mexico, and Canada," he said. This includes efforts to reduce migrant flows to the U.S. southern border, a priority for the current U.S. administration.

 

Migrant Flow Reduction Success

Stanton pointed out that migrant crossings between border points of entry are at their lowest since President Joe Biden took office. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data, June 2024 had the fewest encounters on the southwest border since 2021, with a 24% decrease from May and a 27% drop from April.

 

Combatting Fentanyl Trafficking

A top priority for the delegation is curbing the influx of fentanyl and other drugs from Mexico. Fentanyl is the deadliest drug in Arizona, responsible for 60% of drug-related deaths, as reported by Jeff Johnston, Maricopa County's chief medical examiner.

 

Enhancing Security for the World Cup

Stanton also emphasized the importance of mitigating the flow of weapons into North America and strengthening continental security. With North America hosting the World Cup, close cooperation is essential to ensure a safe experience for international visitors. "We can use World Cup security as a model for long-term security collaboration," Stanton suggested.

 

Nearshoring: Economic Integration Opportunity

The semiconductor industry’s growth in Arizona was another key topic. Stanton noted that the U.S. and Mexico are well-positioned to develop a robust supply chain that benefits both economies. "This is a nearshoring moment, an opportunity for North America to capitalize on tensions with China and grow the semiconductor industry," Stanton said. Since 2020, Arizona's semiconductor industry has attracted over $102 billion in capital investment and created more than 15,700 jobs, according to the Arizona Commerce Authority.

 

Shared Water Resources

Water issues were also a major focus, particularly the shared use of the Colorado River, vital to cities in both countries. The Water Treaty of 1944 guarantees Mexico over 488 million gallons of Colorado River water annually. This agreement is crucial as the U.S. works to prevent critical reservoir levels, ensuring water and energy security.

 

Broader Diplomatic Engagements

The delegation also met with U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar, Mexico's Finance Minister Rogelio Ramírez de la O, and future Foreign Affairs Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente, among others. They visited a migrant shelter and participated in a human rights roundtable.

The visit included eight Democratic senators and representatives from various states and one Republican senator from Indiana. As a goodwill gesture, the Arizona delegates presented Sheinbaum with a book by Arizona Poet Laureate Alberto Ríos.

 

Strengthening Historic Relationships

Senator Kelly emphasized the visit's significance, especially with Mexico preparing for its first female president. "This visit was vital to deepen cooperation on migration, security, trade, and economic development," Kelly stated. He is considered a potential running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming U.S. presidential election.

With Arizona as a key swing state and a large Latino voter base, the relationship with Mexico remains crucial. "Mexico is one of our most important economic partners, and we see it daily in Arizona through cross-border commerce," Kelly added. "I look forward to partnering with President-elect Sheinbaum to address our shared challenges and strengthen our historic ties."