In recent weeks, relations between Mexico and the United States have been depicted as tumultuous, to say the least.
Not only did President Trump declare a national emergency at the border to combat illegal immigration and the concerns such as drugs and sex trafficking that travel to the U.S. with it, but the President also made it a priority to scrap the Clinton-era NAFTA deal that he consistently slammed while on the campaign trail.
As tensions flare and Democrats look to combat the President’s declaration of a national emergency, a bipartisan effort in the Senate is looking to strengthen U.S.-Mexico economic partnership.
Republican Senator John Cornyn and Democrat Senator Tim Kaine have introduced the U.S.-Mexico Economic Partnership Act, which is set to strengthen the economic partnership between the two countries by expanding educational and professional exchange programs.
Commenting on the measure, Senator Cornyn noted that “the partnership shared between the U.S. and Mexico has long benefited our countries both economically and culturally.”
Cornyn further detailed that “this partnership is exemplified in Texas, where our vibrant border regions depend on strong ties to our Southern neighbor.” And, Cornyn explained that “this bill will help us to invest in a workforce that can serve and enhance economic development on both sides of the border.
Echoing in his remarks, Senator Tim Kaine, also Vice Presidential candidate in the 2016 Presidential election, added that “Mexico is one of our most important partners. This bipartisan bill would strengthen our economic through people-to-people ties that promote investment across schools and businesses.”
Specifically, the Act would require the Secretary of State to develop a strategy that would proioritize and expand academic exchanges and partnerships with Mexico, which would focus on the energy and health sectors. Also, businesses and academic institutions would be encouraged to collaborate and support entrepreneurs and joint business initiatives while promoting energy infrastructure coordination through vocational-level education and internships.
