Thread: Clinton to address trade and turmoil in Mexico

Clinton to address trade and turmoil in Mexico

By Chris Hawley, USA TODAY

MEXICO CITY — A maelstrom of drug-related violence. A brewing trade war. And a wheezing economy.

Mexico's growing problems take center stage this week as a parade of U.S. Cabinet members start to descend on Mexico City before next month's visit by President Obama.


CRIME: Mexicans weary of drug war

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will arrive Wednesday and meet with Mexican President Felipe Calderón during a two-day trip to Mexico City and the northern city of Monterrey, trying to find common ground on contentious issues such as border violence and trade rules.

"We have a number of speed bumps in the relationship," said Harley Shaiken, director of the Center for Latin American Studies at the University of California-Berkeley. "The visit is meant to flatten them."

The issue grabbing the most attention, Shaiken said, is Mexico's crackdown on drug cartels, which has unleashed a wave of brutal murders in the border cities of Tijuana and Juárez.

Cartel violence killed 6,290 people across Mexico last year and more than 1,000 in the first eight weeks of 2009, according to Mexico's government.

Some of the violence has spilled into the USA, where Mexican drug cartels are believed to operate in 230 cities, according to a recent U.S. Justice Department report. Mexico has accused U.S. authorities of doing little to reduce drug use and interrupt the flow of drugs within the USA, even as thousands of Mexican troops fill the deserts and search cars at checkpoints along Mexico's interstates.

The United States has cut funding for the Merida Initiative, an aid package aimed at helping Mexico's drug fight. Congress recently trimmed the first chunk of aid to $300 million from $450 million.

Mexico wants the United States to restrict the sale of guns, which can end up in the hands of Mexican smugglers.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano earlier told USA TODAY that the United States plans to send a large contingent of federal agents to the border, but how many and how much will be spent are still to be announced.

Obama is likely to unveil more anti-crime proposals, said Raúl Brangas, a professor of international relations at the University of the Americas in Puebla, Mexico. "He's seen the importance of having a safer border," Brangas said.

Napolitano and Attorney General Eric Holder have visits scheduled to Mexico next month before Obama's visit April 16-17.

Trade has become another flash point between the countries that share a 2,000-mile border. As U.S. companies struggle in the economic downturn, Mexico is afraid the United States may become more protectionist and backslide on the North American Free Trade Agreement, said Amy Glover, a member of Mexico's Council on Foreign Relations.

"One of the issues that will have to be raised is respect for NAFTA," Glover said.

During thepresidential campaign, both Obama and Clinton said they wanted to renegotiate the 1994 trade pact with Mexico and Canada to better protect U.S. workers.

This month, Congress challenged NAFTA by canceling funding for a pilot program that would allow Mexican trucks to travel on U.S. highways.

Mexico retaliated Thursday by slapping tariffs of 10%-45% on U.S. goods ranging from California almonds to Venetian blinds made in New Jersey.

Mexico is the United States' biggest trade customer after Canada, and the sanctions could affect $2.4 billion in U.S. exports.

Mexican officials want to talk to about joint strategies to jump-start both nations' economies, Glover said.

U.S. manufacturers employ thousands of people at their Mexican factories. In recent weeks, U.S. automakers have shut down factories in Saltillo, Toluca and other Mexican cities because of slumping sales. About 43,500 Mexicans work in auto plants, and thousands more for auto parts suppliers.

One hot topic during the Bush administration will probably be missing from the agenda this time: changes to U.S. laws to legalize millions of illegal immigrants, said S. Lynne Walker of the Institute of the Americas, a think tank in La Jolla, Calif., that specializes in Latin American economic issues.

"Any time there's a serious economic downturn, there's no way the United States can talk about immigration reform," Walker said. "Americans are standing in line for jobs … so it's just not going to fly, politically."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
You can post a comment on the USA TODAY Online site at this link:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009 ... nton_N.htm

One hot topic during the Bush administration will probably be missing from the agenda this time: changes to U.S. laws to legalize millions of illegal immigrants, said S. Lynne Walker of the Institute of the Americas, a think tank in La Jolla, Calif., that specializes in Latin American economic issues.

"Any time there's a serious economic downturn, there's no way the United States can talk about immigration reform," Walker said. "Americans are standing in line for jobs … so it's just not going to fly, politically."

Woo Hoo!! Behind every cloud is a silver lining. A big bright silver lining!

I'm going to shred this document to H E _ _ and back

Clinton to address trade and turmoil in Mexico.

First things first... lock down the Air Space so that this Criminal cant get back into the country. Her and Her Husband has done Incalculable damage to America. This is Trailer Trash at it's finist... just dont get in their way... to many peoples lives have ended prematurly

Some of the violence has spilled into the USA, where Mexican drug cartels are believed to operate in 230 cities, according to a recent U.S. Justice Department report. Mexico has accused U.S. authorities of doing little to reduce drug use and interrupt the flow of drugs within the USA, even as thousands of Mexican troops fill the deserts and search cars at checkpoints along Mexico's interstates.

someone tell Janet Napolitano she needs to take her focus off of the canadian border ... we are less concerned about Canooks throwing snowballs at us then we are of Mexicans lobing grenades

The United States has cut funding for the Merida Initiative, an aid package aimed at helping Mexico's drug fight. Congress recently trimmed the first chunk of aid to $300 million from $450 million.

someone tell me why we are arming a country that has soldiers crossing miles into the US side of the border and have even aimed weapons at our border patrol ... they have ILLEGALLY entered the US not once, not twice but Hundreds of times

Mexico wants the United States to restrict the sale of guns, which can end up in the hands of Mexican smugglers.

no thank you, we are a sovern nation... we will put up the border fence to stop it and enforce our laws ... if automatic weapons are traveling to Mexico it is because our government has given to OK for it to happen. Other than that they are coming from South America. You need a special permit to get automatic weapons and that is done by serial number to known dealers ... you cannot purchase one in the states... only semi-automatic. Believe me, if a weapon with serial number shows up in mexico they can track the buyer down fast

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano earlier told USA TODAY that the United States plans to send a large contingent of federal agents to the border, but how many and how much will be spent are still to be announced.

that large conginent equals 100 officers... dont get your hopes up America... this government has no intention of protecting our borders. How about more rigorus checks of vehcles crossing north as well as south of the border

Trade has become another flash point between the countries that share a 2,000-mile border. As U.S. companies struggle in the economic downturn, Mexico is afraid the United States may become more protectionist and backslide on the North American Free Trade Agreement, said Amy Glover, a member of Mexico's Council on Foreign Relations.

first off... as soon as you see (Council on Foreign Relations) know that corruption is involved .. read some of their papers and you will see they dont have America's best interest in mind... it is all MEGA Corporations backed by the Rockefeller family and others that want a North American Union

"One of the issues that will have to be raised is respect for NAFTA," Glover said.

dont walk away from NAFTA ... RUN ... get out, it is destroying not only Mexico but the US... the only ones profitting are big business and you are forced to pay the cost's... you have watched your jobs go North as well as South of the Border from NAFTA and CAFTA ... how's the New World Order work'n for ya so far America

This month, Congress challenged NAFTA by canceling funding for a pilot program that would allow Mexican trucks to travel on U.S. highways.

first damn INTELLIGENT thing they did in a long while ... now we have another GOOF Ball President that wants to do what the other GOOF BALL President Jorge BOOSH attempted and that is to keep those trucks burning across the border with drugs and Illegal Aliens en-mass ... you want to stop the weapons, drugs, drug money, money laundering going across the border... check 100% of all vehicles and 95 - 99 % of it will end over night

Mexico retaliated Thursday by slapping tariffs of 10%-45% on U.S. goods ranging from California almonds to Venetian blinds made in New Jersey.

start by taxing the hell out of remittences going south of the border.. this crap will end quick... start taxing Mexico for every Illegal Alien residing in OUR Country and give the medical, housing, WIC Bills to the same and watch your eyes pop out of their heads

Mexico is the United States' biggest trade customer after Canada, and the sanctions could affect $2.4 billion in U.S. exports.

I think it's LONG past time to change trading partners... you cant play by our rules... Austa La Bye~BYE

Mexican officials want to talk to about joint strategies to jump-start both nations' economies, Glover said.

it's called the "Broke Bumming Money from the Broke" Program or more commenly known as the "I will Gladly Pay You Tomorrow for a Hamberger Today" Program

U.S. manufacturers employ thousands of people at their Mexican factories. In recent weeks, U.S. automakers have shut down factories in Saltillo, Toluca and other Mexican cities because of slumping sales. About 43,500 Mexicans work in auto plants, and thousands more for auto parts suppliers.

how's that NAFTA working for ya Detroit ... you want me to buy your cars made from parts or built in MEXICO ... I would rather buy a quality product ... Detroit...if you want me to buy your product..build it 100% here or be the next mega corporation to colapse

One hot topic during the Bush administration will probably be missing from the agenda this time: changes to U.S. laws to legalize millions of illegal immigrants, said S. Lynne Walker of the Institute of the Americas, a think tank in La Jolla, Calif., that specializes in Latin American economic issues.

this is not going to happen now and it's not going to happen later ... DC needs to pull it's head out of it's fourth point of contact and LISTEN to the TAX PAYERS .. NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION ... YOU CANT GET THAT IN YOUR HEADS SO IT'S TIME FOR US TO PUT YOU IN THE UN~EMPLOYMENT LINE

"Any time there's a serious economic downturn, there's no way the United States can talk about immigration reform," Walker said. "Americans are standing in line for jobs … so it's just not going to fly, politically."

I would suggest you politicians North and South of the Border to "Stop Smoke'n the Crack" put the crack pipe down and get your hand off my Wallet ... it's time for you to go Cold Turkey