Thread: Mexico to open trade office in Phoenix

Mexico to open trade office in Phoenix

Russ Wiles, Ronald J. Hansen and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, The Republic | azcentral.com5:41 p.m. MST September 14, 2015

New ProMexico office here will promote trade and investment and is "symbolically important" for bilateral ties, Phoenix's mayor said


(Photo: Nick Oza/The Republic)


Mexico will open a trade and investment office in Phoenix, underscoring growth in cross-border commerce and symbolizing a relaxation of tensions on both sides of the border.

The new ProMéxico office aims to encourage Mexican exports and attract investment to the country, perennially the largest foreign buyer of Arizona goods and services.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said the new office also could boost jobs in Arizona. "This is our largest trading partner," he said of Mexico. Stanton said the new office will promote trade and investment in both directions through seminars, meetings and other events.

Aside from the practical implications of spurring commerce, the new office is "symbolically important, after all we have been through," Stanton said, referring to Senate Bill 1070, the state's controversial 2010 immigration-enforcement law, and other contentious legislation.

Opening of the office will help improve Arizona's ties with its neighbor to the south, he predicted. "It says we have finally turned the page and are heading in the right direction," Stanton said.

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ProMéxico is the Mexican government agency responsible for strengthening the country's participation in the global economy, supporting exports and attracting foreign investment.

Phoenix will be the 15th ProMéxico office in the U.S., according to the agency's website. ProMéxico also has offices in 33 cities outside Mexico and the U.S.

The announcement comes nearly one year after Arizona, with funding contributed by Phoenix and other local entities, opened a trade office in Mexico City. Phoenix's contribution to that effort "will turn out to be one of the smartest investments we made as a city," said Stanton, adding that he and other Phoenix officials had repeatedly requested that Mexico open an office here.

Arizona’s economic ties with Mexico have increased rapidly despite SB 1070, according to data from the International Trade Administration, a division of the U.S. Commerce Department.

From 2009, the year before SB 1070 became law, through 2014, Arizona’s exports to Mexico grew 90 percent, a $4.1-billion boost. That was slightly better than the 86 percent rise in overall U.S. exports to Mexico over that time. Five other states, including California, made larger export gains to Mexico during that period.

Still, the rise in trade with Mexico easily outpaced Arizona's 33 percent export growth to other foreign nations.

ProMéxico official Eduardo González Diaz de Léon, who previously headed the agency's efforts in Baja California, will direct the Phoenix office, to be housed with the office of Mexico's Consul General here. A more elaborate announcement is set for early October.

The announcement comes as state leaders — namely Gov. Doug Ducey — have worked to improve relations with Mexico.

During the heated 2014 Republican primary election for governor, Ducey talked tough on border security and illegal immigration, saying he would fight the nation's "wide open" border with fences, satellites and personnel. But he has softened his tone during eight months in offices, in part by strengthening his office's relationship with Mexican officials both in that nation's capital and in Sonora, which borders Arizona.

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Daniel Scarpinato, Ducey's spokesman, said the governor "welcomes this exciting announcement. Mexico is Arizona’s No. 1 trading partner, and since being sworn in, the governor has worked hard to enhance this relationship in order to create more jobs and industry for the citizens of our state.”

Rodolfo Espino, associate professor of politics at Arizona State University, said Monday the announcement is "very significant' both economically and politically.

"It certainly shows that despite the immigration politicking in Arizona, the Mexican government is willing to let bygones be bygones and pub economics ahead of politics," he said. "And it shows that there's probably big economic macro forces at play ... since 2008, Arizona's economy has been in the tank with the recession. Now, economic factors are improving in Arizona and the whole nation and Mexico recognizes that there's probably going to be greater demand for business services for our partners in the south."

http://www.azcentral.com/story/money...enix/72275742/

Oh brother. Like we need more of that.

9/14/15

http://www.alipac.us/f12/canada-new-...border-323294/

It's all about money. My first general sociological theory is "Guy in Crisis." They never have enough money.

Be darned sure that produce or cars and anything in between is not produced in Mexico.

Americans when I was selling cars, would tell me "Do not try to sell me anything foreign." After they had seem what I suggested, "What about that little car in the corner. That says Ford on the back." Ford Festivas were assembled in Mexico. I did not show it to them, they bought it.