Blinkin in Mexico: The Trip Comes as Biden Approves New Border Wall

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is in Mexico City for a two-day visit, his first to the country since taking office. The trip comes at a time of heightened tensions between the two countries, with the Biden administration recently approving construction of a new border wall and Mexico accusing the United States of not doing enough to stop the flow of drugs and guns across the border. Blinken is scheduled to meet with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard to discuss a range of issues, including migration, security, and trade. He is also expected to visit the border city of Tijuana to see firsthand the challenges facing the two countries.

The trip is seen as an important opportunity for Blinken to build bridges with Mexico, and to address some of the concerns that have been raised by the López Obrador administration. The Biden administration has pledged to take a more humane approach to border security than the Trump administration, but it has also come under pressure from Republicans to take a tougher stance on illegal immigration. The decision to approve construction of a new border wall was particularly controversial, with critics arguing that it is a waste of money and a symbol of American xenophobia. The López Obrador administration has also criticized the decision, saying that it will only serve to further divide the two countries. Blinken is expected to try to reassure the López Obrador administration that the Biden administration is committed to working with Mexico to address the challenges facing the two countries. He is also likely to emphasize the importance of migration reform and the need to address the root causes of migration, such as poverty and violence.

The trip comes at a time of critical importance for the relationship between the United States and Mexico. The two countries are close economic partners and share a long border. However, the relationship has been strained in recent years by disagreements over immigration, trade, and security. Blinken's visit is an opportunity to reset the relationship between the two countries and to build a new foundation for cooperation. The success of his trip will depend on his ability to address the concerns of the López Obrador administration and to demonstrate that the Biden administration is committed to working with Mexico to address the challenges facing the two countries. Here is a more in-depth analysis of some of the key issues that Blinken is expected to discuss with the López Obrador administration:

Migration

Migration is one of the most contentious issues in the relationship between the United States and Mexico. The United States is the largest destination for Mexican immigrants, and Mexico is the largest source of illegal immigrants to the United States. The Biden administration has pledged to take a more humane approach to border security than the Trump administration. But it has also come under pressure from Republicans to take a tougher stance on illegal immigration.

The decision to approve construction of a new border wall was particularly controversial, with critics arguing that it is a waste of money and a symbol of American xenophobia. The López Obrador administration has also criticized the decision, saying that it will only serve to further divide the two countries. Blinken is expected to try to reassure the López Obrador administration that the Biden administration is committed to working with Mexico to address the root causes of migration, such as poverty and violence. He is also likely to emphasize the importance of migration reform and the need to create a more humane and orderly immigration system.

Security

Security is another important issue in the relationship between the United States and Mexico. The two countries face a number of common security challenges, including drug trafficking, organized crime, and terrorism. The Biden administration has pledged to work with Mexico to address these challenges. However, there have been some disagreements between the two countries over the best approach to security. For example, the López Obrador administration has been critical of the United States' reliance on military force to address drug trafficking. The administration has instead called for a more holistic approach to security that focuses on addressing the root causes of crime, such as poverty and inequality. Blinken is expected to discuss security cooperation with the López Obrador administration. He is likely to emphasize the importance of working together to address the common security challenges facing the two countries.

Trade

Trade is also an important issue in the relationship between the United States and Mexico. The two countries are members of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which has boosted trade between the two countries. However, the Trump administration renegotiated NAFTA, and the new agreement, known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), was implemented in 2020. The USMCA made some changes to the original NAFTA agreement, but it remains a free trade agreement between the three countries. Blinken is expected to discuss trade cooperation with the López Obrador administration