U.S. Chamber President Meets with Mexican President Felipe Calder?n and Other Leaders

Discusses Trade, Immigration, Economy during Mexico City Visit

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Donohue met with government and business leaders in Mexico City today, including President Felipe Calderón and Secretary of Economy Gerardo Ruiz Mateos, as well as senior executives from Mexican companies and the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico. After meeting with President Calderón, Donohue issued the following statement:

"President Calderón and I had a very productive meeting where we both agreed to ensure that NAFTA and its benefits continue into the next U.S. Administration no matter who is elected. At such a critical time for both our economies, we must focus on positive ways to expand trade and investment throughout North America. I assured the president that the Chamber will lead the fight against any proposal to turn back the clock on free and open trade.

"The Chamber is leading a major effort to restore the U.S. economy to full prosperity through its pro-jobs and pro-growth agenda. A key part of this agenda is showing that open markets bring opportunities to our businesses, farmers, and workers. To succeed, we must work to revitalize the global trade agenda, improve the North American infrastructure, develop plentiful energy supplies, and tap and train the tremendous human talent that exists in our region.

"We strongly support President Calderón's efforts to fight lawlessness and corruption spurred by the drug trade. When he spoke to the U.S. Chamber's board of directors as president-elect, he predicted that this would be his number one challenge facing his new government. He was right. In addition to improving the lives of the Mexican people, the rule of law and public safety are fundamental to attracting foreign investment, strengthening the economy, and winning support in the U.S. for border and immigration reforms. We know President Calderón understands this and the U.S. business community applauds his leadership.

"We are committed to working together with the next U.S. president—who ever he is—to enact comprehensive immigration reform, which we know is a top concern for the Mexican people.

"The Chamber is a co-Secretariat of the U.S. section of the North American Competitiveness Council, which works on all these key issues."

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

www.uschamber.com

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