US Mexico play up increased security cooperation
Tillerson
The US - Mexican relationship has been strained by Trump ’ s attacks on Mexican immigrants and the North American Free Trade Agreement — and his insistence on building a border wall . But as  Tillerson  kicked off  his  first major tour of Latin America    he  and  his  Mexican counterpart sought to play down any tensions   focusing instead on fighting what the former oilman turned secretary of state called the “ devastating impact ” of the international narcotics trade . “ We ’ ve created … a different approach as to how we cooperate to attack the entire supply chain of this devastating impact of drugs — cocaine   heroin   fentanyl   opioids  ” Tillerson said after meeting with Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray and Canada ’ s Chrystia Freeland in Mexico City . “ This is having a horrible effect on American citizens   Mexican citizens   Canadian citizens .” In October   Trump declared the US opioid crisis a national public health emergency   after overdoses of drugs such as heroin and fentanyl killed more than 40   000 people in 2016 . Videgaray said all three countries had agreed to place “ special emphasis ” on fighting both the supply and demand side of the problem : the Mexican drug cartels fueling a wave of bloodshed in his country   and the US and Canadian consumption making it a multi - billion - dollar business . “ The paradigm has to be one of cooperation   not blaming each other  ” he said . – Videgaray also insisted the US - Mexican relationship is strong   despite Trump ’ s tirades . “ In many ways the relationship today is more close   it ’ s more fluid   than it was with the previous administration . That might be a surprise for many people   but it ’ s a fact  ” he said . Freeland likewise played down tensions   despite a recent series of trade disputes between the US and Canada . She said Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “ really get along ” and called Tillerson “ an incredibly important voice in maintaining the rules - based international order .” But it was impossible to paper over tensions on certain issues . Videgaray stayed mum as Tillerson sought to explain Trump ’ s wall proposal and immigration crackdown as part of a shared security push . Deporting those who lack immigration papers — including the so - called “ Dreamers ” brought to the United States as children   now at the center of a bitter political battle — fits into Trump ’ s law and order agenda   Tillerson said . “ I know it ’ s painful   the process is for a lot of people   and that ’ s why as we move forward and in implementing the president ’ s directives   we are trying to do so in a way that accommodates the fact that it ’ s hard for some people  ” he said . Videgaray said both that and the wall were internal decisions for the US government   but added that a mass exodus of “ Dreamers ” would be “ an enormous gain for Mexico and a loss for the United States .” Tillerson later held a closed - door meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto   who faces domestic pressure not to give up too much ground to his pushy northern neighbor . – Venezuela challenge – With a new round of talks on overhauling NAFTA scheduled for next month   Canada and Mexico hope a deal can be salvaged . Videgaray and Freeland both touted their vision for a “ win - win - win ” deal that would modernize outdated elements while keeping the bulk of the agreement intact . Tillerson acknowledged the huge role of North American trade in the US economy   saying Canada and Mexico rank as the first or second largest export market for 42 US states . The three also found common ground on the Venezuela crisis   calling for President Nicolas Maduro ’ s leftist government to restore constitutional rule . “ What we would like to see happen there is a peaceful transition  ” Tillerson said . He added that “ if — if — President Maduro would return to the Venezuelan constitution   restore the elected assembly   dismantle the illegitimate constituent assembly and return to free and fair elections  ” he ’ d be welcome to “ stay and run .” After Mexico   Tillerson is set to travel on to Argentina   Peru   Colombia and Jamaica   pushing for stronger action on Venezuela and touting his vision of deeper cooperation .
The US - Mexican relationship has been strained by Trump ’ s attacks on Mexican immigrants and the North American Free Trade Agreement — and his insistence on building a border wall . But as  [TGT]kicked off  his  first major tour of Latin America    he  and  his  Mexican counterpart sought to play down any tensions   focusing instead on fighting what the former oilman turned secretary of state called the “ devastating impact ” of the international narcotics trade . “ We ’ ve created … a different approach as to how we cooperate to attack the entire supply chain of this devastating impact of drugs — cocaine   heroin   fentanyl   opioids  ” [TGT] said after meeting with Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray and Canada ’ s Chrystia Freeland in Mexico City . “ This is having a horrible effect on American citizens   Mexican citizens   Canadian citizens .” In October   Trump declared the US opioid crisis a national public health emergency   after overdoses of drugs such as heroin and fentanyl killed more than 40   000 people in 2016 . Videgaray said all three countries had agreed to place “ special emphasis ” on fighting both the supply and demand side of the problem : the Mexican drug cartels fueling a wave of bloodshed in his country   and the US and Canadian consumption making it a multi - billion - dollar business . “ The paradigm has to be one of cooperation   not blaming each other  ” he said . – Videgaray also insisted the US - Mexican relationship is strong   despite Trump ’ s tirades . “ In many ways the relationship today is more close   it ’ s more fluid   than it was with the previous administration . That might be a surprise for many people   but it ’ s a fact  ” he said . Freeland likewise played down tensions   despite a recent series of trade disputes between the US and Canada . She said Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “ really get along ” and called Tillerson “ an incredibly important voice in maintaining the rules - based international order .” But it was impossible to paper over tensions on certain issues . Videgaray stayed mum as [TGT] sought to explain Trump ’ s wall proposal and immigration crackdown as part of a shared security push . Deporting those who lack immigration papers — including the so - called “ Dreamers ” brought to the United States as children   now at the center of a bitter political battle — fits into Trump ’ s law and order agenda   [TGT] said . “ I know it ’ s painful   the process is for a lot of people   and that ’ s why as we move forward and in implementing the president ’ s directives   we are trying to do so in a way that accommodates the fact that it ’ s hard for some people  ” he said . Videgaray said both that and the wall were internal decisions for the US government   but added that a mass exodus of “ Dreamers ” would be “ an enormous gain for Mexico and a loss for the United States [TGT] later held a closed - door meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto   who faces domestic pressure not to give up too much ground to his pushy northern neighbor . – Venezuela challenge – With a new round of talks on overhauling NAFTA scheduled for next month   Canada and Mexico hope a deal can be salvaged . Videgaray and Freeland both touted their vision for a “ win - win - win ” deal that would modernize outdated elements while keeping the bulk of the agreement intact . [TGT] acknowledged the huge role of North American trade in the US economy   saying Canada and Mexico rank as the first or second largest export market for 42 US states . The three also found common ground on the Venezuela crisis   calling for President Nicolas Maduro ’ s leftist government to restore constitutional rule . “ What we would like to see happen there is a peaceful transition  ” [TGT] said . [TGT] added that “ if — if — President Maduro would return to the Venezuelan constitution   restore the elected assembly   dismantle the illegitimate constituent assembly and return to free and fair elections  ” he ’ d be welcome to “ stay and run .” After Mexico   Tillerson is set to travel on to Argentina   Peru   Colombia and Jamaica   pushing for stronger action on Venezuela and touting his vision of deeper cooperation .