US, Mexico make call over migration, drugs before Three Amigos summit

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
19 Oct 2022 09:17

The Latin American country already faces a trade complaint from the US and Canada as part of the North American agreement.

The presidents of Mexico, US, and Canada (Reuters)

Amid a trade dispute between the US and neighboring Mexico, President Joe Biden and his Mexican counterpart discussed Tuesday over a phone call the matters of migration, drug trafficking, and economic development after Biden confirmed the intention to attend the "Three Amigos" summit in Mexico alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

"We had a cordial conversation with President Joe Biden on migration, security, and development cooperation," Lopez Obrador tweeted after the call.

Tuvimos una cordial conversación con el presidente Joe Biden sobre migración, seguridad y cooperación para el desarrollo. Me confirmó que visitará México para participar en la Cumbre de América del Norte. pic.twitter.com/hFzAZDDnzl
— Andrés Manuel (@lopezobrador_) October 18, 2022

"He confirmed to me that he will visit Mexico to participate in the North American Summit," he added, as a date is yet to be announced but it is expected to be held in December.

This comes after Washington's announcement last week of a new program that would allow legal entry to 24,000 Venezuelan migrants while repatriating to Mexico all those caught crossing the border illegally, which gave hope to thousands of Venezuelan migrants wanting to enter the US after being stranded in Mexico.

Just on Saturday, Venezuelan migrants attempting to enter the United States through Mexico protested a new US program that allows 24,000 people from the country suffering under US sanctions to enter legally while deporting all others who cross the southern border illegally.

Under a North American trade deal, Mexico is faced with a formal complaint from the US and Canada regarding trade as part of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Both the US and Canada claim that Mexico's action to bolster its position in the energy industry negatively impacts foreign investors and impedes the development of clean energy.

Earlier this month, a US judge dismissed a $10 billion lawsuit filed by Mexico against American gun manufacturers, accusing them of fueling drug trafficking and violence in Mexico.

In a statement by the White House, "Actions to reduce the number of individuals who unlawfully cross the US-Mexico border and to expand legal pathways as an alternative to irregular migration" were the center focus of the phone call between both nations as they tackled issues of fentanyl and gun trafficking.

Earlier Tuesday, Lopez Obrador relayed to reporters that Mexico's relations with its largest trading partner were "very good" and "on an equal footing."