IRIA News

United States President Joe Biden, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered a unified front as they sought to downplay their frustrations and tensions on migration and trade.

The two presidents, joined by the Canadian prime minister, met at North American Leaders’ Summit, an annual event informally referred to as a meeting of the “three amigos.” They agreed to push for progress on issues beyond immigration, including drug trafficking, climate change, and supply chains.

The summit took place as the immigration issue was flaring again in the United States, however, Biden dismissed criticism from Republicans, and Democrats, calling them the “extremes” and saying he was pursuing a middle ground in his approach to immigration.

Brushing tensions aside, Biden said, “We’re true partners, the three of us, working together with mutual respect … to advance a safer and more prosperous future for all of our people.” He added that the three leaders “share a common vision for the future, grounded on common values.”

Together, we’re building a stronger North America. pic.twitter.com/XEGMLVMZvs

— President Biden (@POTUS) January 11, 2023

Biden recently announced an agreement with Mexico to accept the return of tens of thousands of Cubans, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans, and Haitians who cross the border without authorization. “There can no longer be any question — none — in today’s interconnected world: We cannot wall ourselves off,” Biden said in Mexico.

The summit in Mexico City comes at a politically fraught time for Biden, who faces pressure from Congress to act more forcefully to combat the increasing flow of the drug across the U.S.-Mexico border. 

Mexican leader, known as AMLO, who has been openly challenging American policies toward his country, praised Biden’s approach, referring indirectly to President Donald Trump’s efforts to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

López Obrador said, “You, President Biden, you are the first president of the United States in a very long time that has not built even one meter of wall. And we thank you for that, sir — although some might not like it, although the conservatives don’t like it.”

Biden and Obrador vow to tackle immigration

Although no additional major programs to tackle migration were announced at the summit, Mexican and U.S. officials said they would continue discussions on increasing the number of migrants returned to Mexico and expanding legal pathways for migrants.

Biden and López Obrador vowed to reform and streamline the flow of migrants from Mexico to the United States. “We’re working together to address this challenge in a way that upholds our nations’ laws and protects the human rights of migrants escaping desperate circumstances,” Biden said.

During the joint press conference, López Obrador also asked President Biden to “insist” Congress to regularize the migration of millions of Mexicans who have been in the States working, living in the United States, and contributing to the development of America.

Bienvenido a su casa, presidente Biden. Usted es nuestro amigo y el pueblo estadounidense también. Juntos podemos impulsar una nueva etapa en las naciones del continente a partir del respeto y la ayuda mutua. Hay condiciones inmejorables para consolidar la integración de América. pic.twitter.com/VggTgYA9gt

— Andrés Manuel (@lopezobrador_) January 10, 2023

Mexican President called Justin Trudeau “a great ally of Mexico” and thanked him for the “extraordinary and fraternal program that consists of granting temporary working visas for laborers, workers.”

The Canadian temporary work-visa program has benefited some 25,000 Mexican men and women. “The path to orderly migration is the one to follow,” he said.

Biden and Trudeau bilateral meeting

The summit also saw the first formal bilateral for Biden and Trudeau since the Summit of the Americas in June. On the sidelines of the summit, Biden held a bilateral meeting with Trudeau to discuss joint efforts on economic competitiveness and inclusive growth, climate commitments, as well as to strengthen cooperation on security and defense, and address regional and global challenges, including Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine, instability in Haiti.

The two leaders also discussed their commitments to transform North America into a clean energy powerhouse. During the meeting, President Biden said that he plans to travel to Canada in March this year.

Trade talks — Climate and chips deals

Besides migration, the three leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to deepening trade between their economies and upholding the terms of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) — updated in 2018 and known as NAFTA 2.0 (North American Free Trade Agreement) which was first formalized in 1994.

During the last 30 years, “the economies of Mexico, U.S., and Canada have become closely tied because of NAFTA. This trade agreement helped our economies grow and created millions of good employments, and the trade amongst our borders drew investors from the world over” Trudeau said at the summit.

The leaders of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico announced commitments to build the semiconductor industry in the region, tackle the flow of fentanyl into the United States, and a climate pledge to cut methane emissions. They will work to develop a plan to cut down on food waste, and a separate plan for coordinating electric vehicle charging stations along their borders, the White House said.

They agreed to organize a semiconductor forum with industry representatives and government officials from three countries in early 2023 and coordinate semiconductor supply chain needs and investments.