ASSESSMENTS

Evolving U.S.-Mexico Relations and Obama's Visit

May 2, 2013 | 09:03 GMT

U.S. President Barack Obama (R) with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto

JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images

Summary

When U.S. President Barack Obama travels to Mexico on May 2, he will arrive amid a period of sweeping transformation in the country. Embroiled in myriad political battles and seeking to implement an extensive slate of national reforms, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto's administration has been focused almost solely on internal affairs. Meanwhile, after years of delay, the U.S. Congress has been debating gun control and immigration reform — two issues of serious interest to the Mexican government.

U.S.-Mexican relations are strategically important to both countries, and Mexico's period of transition has created opportunities for each to reshape the partnership. And although U.S. media attention has focused primarily on bilateral security issues ahead of Obama's visit — namely cooperation in Mexico's drug war — the Pena Nieto administration is working with Washington to re-orient the cross-border conversation to one centered primarily on mutual economic possibility. 

Future cooperation between the two countries will focus heavily on bilateral economic possibilities....

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