MEXICO CITY (MEXICO) – Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will hold his first discussions with US president Donald Trump on July 8 in Washington, according to officials on Wednesday. The upcoming visit has been criticised by Democrats who view it as a political gimmick ahead of elections.
Obrador, who has not made any foreign visits after coming to power in 2018, is taking a political gamble by scheduling his first visit to the US as Trump enjoys very little popularity in Mexico.
Critics in Mexico said Obrador’s visit would enable Trump to receive the support of millions of Hispanics in the US.
On the other hand, the Mexican president dismissed criticism saying the visit was an economic necessity and has nothing to do with the upcoming US elections.
Obrador said on Wednesday the visit would strengthen economic ties with the US and signal the beginning of a new regional trade agreement.
Trump’s office said there would be discussions on trade, health and security when they meet to usher in the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. This replaces the 26-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus shot off a letter to the president urging him to call off the meeting with Obrador. They termed it an effort to shift attention from Trump’s handling of the pandemic.
Obrador has urged Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take part in the discussions. However, Ottawa is yet to respond.
Trump’s comments describing Mexican migrants as rapists and drug pushers have dented his image in Mexico. He had also pledged to make Mexico meet the expenses of the planned border wall.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field