Read a summary of this teleconference.

A Situation Briefing teleconference on the current state of relations between the United States and Mexico, presented as part of the Pacific Council's Mexico Initiative.

President Donald Trump on January 25 signed two executive orders directing the construction of a wall on the US-Mexico border, promising that Mexico will reimburse U.S. taxpayers for the cost of construction. Following that action and a subsequent Twitter exchange, Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto canceled his planned visit to the White House. President Trump has long argued that the United States needs to renegotiate "one-sided" trade deals with Mexico. Mexico is the third-largest U.S. trading partner, accounting for $583.6 billion in cross-border commerce in 2015 alone.

Can Mexico and the United States work out their differences on trade and a border wall? What are the implications of deteriorated relations for both countries?

Listen to the full conversation below:

Featuring:

Dr. Pamela K. Starr, Director, U.S.-Mexico Network & Professor of International Relations, USC

Pamela Starr is the director of the U.S.-Mexico Network, a university fellow at the USC Center on Public Diplomacy, and an associate professor of teaching in the School of International Relations and in Public Diplomacy at the University of Southern California. Read more.

Mr. Seth Stodder, former Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security 

Seth Stodder most recently served as Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Border, Immigration & Trade Policy. An expert in national and homeland security law and policy, he teaches Counterterrorism, Civil Liberties, and Privacy Law at the University of Southern California Law School. Read more.

Moderator:

Ms. Katja Newman, Founder and President, KSN Consulting

Katja Newman specializes in helping companies in the agribusiness, energy, information technology, retail, and telecommunications sectors maximize business opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean. Read more.