FROM EIR DAILY ALERT
Trump Replies to López Obrador Letter, Urges NAFTA Agreement and Migration Cooperation
July 26, 2018 (EIRNS)—On July 24, Mexico’s President-elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador, often called AMLO, and his Foreign Minister-designate Marcelo Ebrard, made known the text of a July 20 letter addressed to AMLO from U.S. President Donald Trump. The one-page letter was in reply to the July 13letter that AMLO had sent to Trump, following the President-elect’s meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (see EIR Daily Alert July 23).
In his reply, President Trump again congratulated AMLO on his electoral victory, stating that “we both achieved electoral success by providing a clear vision for making our countries stronger and better,” and saying he looked forward to working closely with López Obrador “to build a great relationship between our countries.”
Trump emphasized that he agreed with the four priorities AMLO had identified—trade, migration, development and security—and said he’s directed his team to work closely with AMLO’s transition team. He also emphasized the importance of quickly renegotiating a new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). He asserted that the U.S. economy “has never been stronger,” from which both nations can benefit. “But we can do even better. I believe a successful renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement will lead to even more jobs and higher wages for hard-working American and Mexican workers—but only if it can go quickly, because otherwise I must go a much different route. It would not be my preference, but would be far more profitable for the United States and its taxpayers.”
Another round of trilateral NAFTA negotiations was taking place in Washington today.
On the crucial issue of immigration, President Trump stated that
“I believe the challenge of immigration involves more than just strong border security. We are prepared to further address the economic development and security issues that drive migrants from Central America, but we must also increase cooperation to protect the rule of law and the sovereignty of both our countries, as well as vulnerable migrants who are victimized by violent criminal organizations.”
Trump also welcomed AMLO’s focus on fighting corruption, as well as upcoming meetings between representative of AMLO’s team and U.S. administration officials, stating they will help
“establish mutual understanding on many critical issues. A strong relationship will lead to a much stronger and more prosperous Mexico, which frankly would make me very happy!”
