Mexican President Felipe Calderon spoke about his country’s economic competitiveness when he delivered the keynote address at the U.S.-Mexico Leadership Initiative Business Summit held at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. President Calderon said the important method to recover economic growth is trade and investment. He called for more trade and more freedom in investments.
The U.S-Mexico Leadership Initiative Business Summit brings together government and business officials to discuss ways to strengthen the economic alliance between the two countries. The initiative was launched after President Calderón's visit to the Chamber in 2010 to move the U.S.-Mexico economic partnership forward. 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.
This is President Calderon's second visit to the U.S. this month. In early April, he met with President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Steven Harper to work on transcontinental trade agreements.
According the Chamber, 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.
Trade relations between the two countries have faced challenges recently. This week, Mexico's Economy Minister complained that the U.S. is dragging its heels over permitting Mexico to take part in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade agreement between Asia and the Americas. Wal-mart, the discount retailer, has been accused of paying $24 million in bribes to Mexican officials.