U.S.–Mexico Leadership Initiative Hosts President Felipe Calderon of Mexico

Releases Study with Recommendations for Both Countries to Expand Cooperation in Energy, Financial Services, Transportation, Agriculture, and Trade

WASHINGTON, D.C.—President Felipe Calderon of Mexico addressed the U.S.–Mexico Leadership Initiative (USMLI) Business Summit  at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce today. The event brought together senior government and business officials to discuss ways to strengthen the critical economic alliance between the two countries. U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue introduced President Calderon.

At the Summit, USMLI unveiled their study with policy recommendations for both countries to expand cooperation in sectors such as energy; financial services; transportation; agriculture; and trade.

“These recommendations should serve as a roadmap for policymakers in the U.S. and Mexico to advance a more prosperous economic partnership for both countries,” said Jodi Bond, the Chamber’s vice president for the Americas. “By promoting the continent’s energy independence, making the U.S.-Mexico border the most streamlined and secure in the world, and enhancing intergovernmental cooperation, we can make both nations more competitive in global markets.  Our goal is to build on the progress that has already been achieved and advance a bold vision for future cooperation and prosperity.”

Specifically, the USMLI report recommends:

• Advancing ongoing bilateral plans for regulatory cooperation, while working to develop the next set of goals;
• Enhancing the transparency of regulations affecting business through open and defined administrative procedures;
• Promoting legal certainty in the business environment through a strict adherence to the rule of law;
• Fostering an environment of economic competition to benefit both producers and consumers; and,
• Strengthening the North American strategic economic alliance through vehicles such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.

The USMLI was launched after President Calderón's visit to the Chamber in 2010 to move the U.S.-Mexico economic partnership forward. The economic relationship between the two countries is vitally important for both nations.  The U.S. is Mexico’s leading trade partner, and Mexico is the second-largest U.S. export market and third in total U.S. trade.  Approximately 6 million U.S. jobs depend on trade with Mexico.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.