The Pacific Council on International Policy has presented a First 100 Days Memo on U.S.-Mexico Policy to the Biden administration, outlining recommendations on trade, immigration, and diplomacy, as well as urging President Joe Biden to take immediate action to strengthen the bilateral relationship from the outset of his term. 

Join the Pacific Council for the first virtual event of a series of three about the memo's recommendations. This event will be framed as a policy briefing, where experts will share their recommendations as if they are presenting for the Biden administration. Audience members will be encouraged to submit their questions as if they are members of the president's cabinet.

Learn about the memo's background and contributors here.

*Members of the public can register for this event here. Pacific Council members can register below.*

Featuring:

Dr. Pamela Starr, Associate Professor of International Relations, University of Southern California; and Senior Adviser, Monarch Global Strategies

Dr. Starr is a senior adviser at Monarch Global Strategies, the director of the U.S.-Mexico Network, a university fellow at the USC Center on Public Diplomacy, and an associate professor of international relations and public diplomacy at USC. She came to USC from the Eurasia Group, one of the world's leading global political risk advisory and consulting firms, where she was senior analyst responsible for Mexico. Read more.

Patrick Schaefer, Chief Legal Officer, Supply Chain Capital Partners

Patrick Schaefer is the Chief Legal Officer at Supply Chain Capital Partners. He previously served as the Senior Vice President of the Center for Global Trade & Foreign Investment at the LA Chamber of Commerce and as Executive Director of the Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness, part of the University of Texas at El Paso, which produces detailed economic and legal analysis of the various markets that converge in the transboundary, Paso del Norte region. Read more.

Opening Remarks:

The Hon. Michael Camuñez, President & CEO, Monarch Global Strategies LLC

Michael Camuñez is a Pacific Council Director and the co-founder, president, and CEO of Monarch Global Strategies, a strategic consulting firm providing senior corporate executives with market and political intelligence, strategic advice and stakeholder engagement support to drive market entry and business expansion efforts in North America, with a particular emphasis on Mexico. Read more.

Background:

Through careful messaging, consistent focus on the relationship, and early symbolic and substantive actions, President Biden has the opportunity to reframe the relationship as one of strategic partnership. The Council’s Mexico Advisory Committee has commissioned a report focusing on actions recommended by Mexico policy experts and informed citizens that President Biden and his team can take to improve the relationship with Mexico during the first 100 days of his administration.

The memo's recommendations fall under four broad themes:

1. Re-emphasize Washington’s view of Mexico as a key strategic partner. Convene reciprocal visits by heads of state, assign key Cabinet officials to move the relationship in a positive direction, launch a high-level bilateral forum for collaboration in key areas of common interest, and develop a joint response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Strengthen the North American region. Through the USMCA trade agreement, engage Mexico in actions designed to resolve problems and facilitate regional collaboration while sending a strong signal to our trade competitors, embracing a North American identity, and hosting a North America Summit as soon as it is safe and practical to do so.
3. Design immigration solutions in partnership with Mexico. Work with Mexico on a counter-pandemic border strategy, development programs for Central America to stem the flow of migrants moving north, and contingency plans for a potential post-COVID-19 immigration surge.
4. Partner with Mexico on issues beyond security and trade. Make educational and cultural exchanges key components of the bilateral relationship and support subnational efforts to improve the relationship.

Learn more about the Mexico Initiative.

Watch the full conversation below: