Today, the Pacific Council officially launches our Mexico Initiative.

This is an important moment in the U.S.-Mexico relationship. As we watch the U.S. presidential campaign unfold, the conversations about Mexico and its citizens continue to focus on narrow and distorted issues related to illegal immigration, narcotrafficking, and violence. Despite our close proximity and shared history and culture, this harsh and inaccurate rhetoric persists.

From our headquarters in Los Angeles, we see each day how closely intertwined the two countries are. The United States and Mexico enjoy one of the most interdependent, successful economic partnerships in the world, and their populations share deep cultural, linguistic, and often familial ties. As part of North America, the two countries also share common domestic and foreign policy priorities as they relate to energy security, the environment, and public health, as well as other interests in the Western Hemisphere and, indeed, the globe.

The Pacific Council seeks to take an approach to Mexico that reflects our geography, identity, and appreciation for the international policy interests of the United States. Under the auspices of the Mexico Initiative, the Pacific Council will expand programming, strengthen outreach and recruitment efforts, and produce analysis and commentary to inform public discourse regarding the U.S.-Mexico bilateral relationship. We will seek to create a strong and visible program with the potential to grow over time.

We have already begun. We informally launched the Mexico Initiative at a working lunch with the Mexican Ambassador to the United States on February 19. Today we are co-hosting the Mexico Economic Review and Political Outlook conference with ManattJones Global Strategies and the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce. Stay tuned for more to come and contact us to help us do more.

On behalf of the Pacific Council Board and staff, we look forward to your involvement and support!

With best regards,

Michael C. Camuñez
Chair, Mexico Initiative
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The Honorable Michael C. Camuñez is a Pacific Council director. He is the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce and the President and CEO of ManattJones Global Strategies LLC.

The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Pacific Council.