A month after he snubbed Joe Biden’s America Summit, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador sat down with his US counterpart at the White House on Tuesday amid rising tensions over migration.
Biden underscored the need to address “migration as a shared hemispheric challenge” in pre-meeting remarks, describing long-time ally and neighbor Mexico as an “equal partner.”
He said his government is expanding legal work opportunities in the United States of Mexico and Central America, citing “a record” 300,000 temporary work visas issued to Mexican workers last year.
And he thanked Lopez Obrador for “boosting” and issuing visas to Central American migrants in Mexico.
The Mexican president called for a “bold program” to address migration issues and, amid labor shortages, urged the United States to allow more skilled Mexican and Central American workers into the country to “support” the workforce.
“It is imperative for us to legalize and give security to migrants who have lived and worked very honestly for years and also contribute to the development of this great nation,” he said.
Lopez Obrador acknowledged a likely backlash from US Republican politicians, who frequently claim Biden left the southern US border vulnerable to unauthorized border crossings.
Tuesday’s talks also touched on security and economic cooperation, including the need to invest in development projects in Central America to discourage people from leaving the country.
The two countries agreed last year to overhaul their fight against drug trafficking to address the root causes of migration and step up efforts to curb cross-border arms smuggling.
Human trafficking also took center stage after more than 50 migrants – many of them Mexicans – died in a blisteringly hot trailer home in San Antonio, Texas, late last month.
Addressing the tragedy, Biden said the United States was working to slow people smuggling and stepping up efforts to end the illicit drug trade.
Amid rising inflation on both sides of the border, Lopez Obrador said he had proposed suspending tariffs and regulations to “lower prices for consumers in both our countries.”
He also launched a joint public-private investment plan to produce more goods.
The visit was Lopez Obrador’s second visit to the White House since Biden took office last year, despite a sometimes strained relationship with his US counterpart.
Lopez Obrador boycotted the June Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles – where migration was again a key issue – over Biden’s refusal to invite Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.
Biden said Tuesday “overblown headlines” mischaracterized “a strong, productive relationship” between the two leaders.
But Lopez Obrador was more cautious, saying, “Despite our grievances, which are not easy to forget … on many occasions we have been able to find common ground and work together as true allies.”
However, he said Mexico has “trust” in Biden “because you respect our sovereignty.”
“Always count on us,” he added.
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