Bilateral Relationships Usa And Canada

Book Chapter Summary

Ð'* 9/11 altered USA's foreign policy. This affects USA's bilateral relationship with Mexico.

Ð'* The USA disregarded issues that were important and urgent to the government of Mexico: immigration and drug trafficking.

Bilateral Relations Before 2000

Ð'* Cold War: in order to fight communism, the USA supported right-wing military regimes that were friendly to the USA.

Ð'* Echeverria: 1970-1976. Hostility towards multinational corporations, embrace of an increasingly static economic development strategy, pursued a closer relationship with Cuba Ð'- strained bilateral relationship with USA.

Ð'* This strategy ended up in a debt crisis in 1982. In order to take care of the crisis, Echeverria's successor needed not to play an active role in foreign affairs.

Ð'* With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the USA wasn't concerned with security issues anymore. Turned its attention to trade and development issues.

Ð'* Improved bilateral relations throughout the 1990s:

- USA provided financial support to Mexico after its devaluation and near-default on its debt. Clinton broadened its contact with the opposition in Mexico in response to its democratization process but maintained its relations with the PRI.

- Mexico recognized the opposition, made sure elections were free and fair.

The Impact of Mexican Democracy on US-Mexican Relations

Ð'* There are similarities between Bush and Fox: didn't use to live in the capital, ranchers, worked in the private sector, religious, not intellectuals. They appealed to a broader population. They speak each other's language.

Ð'* USA citizens usually dislike and distrust undemocratic regimes. They also don't like those that are anti-American Ð'- Mexico fit both categories but they made it a point to change this perspective.

Ð'* Mexico's more pluralistic democracy made it more difficult for Fox to obtain congressional approval for his initiatives. No more presidential control over Congress.

Ð'* During the PRI years, Mexico had been reluctant to interfere in the affairs of other countries b/c they believed that it would provoke other nationsÐ'--especially the USAÐ'--to criticize Mexico's own political system and human right records.

Ð'* Mexico took a stance against Cuba and Communism Ð'- diff in the implementation of their human rights and pro-democracy policies. But USA still appreciated Mexico's new position.

Ð'* It was better for USA to have a democratic Mexico fighting actively for democratic principles than an authoritarian Mexico that sheltered dictators hostile to US interest behind a foreign policy based on the principle of non-intervention.

Ð'* Rio Treaty: It created a principle of collective security in the hemisphere. Mexico withdrew after 9/11. USA didn't like it.

Ð'* Immigration

- Mexico wanted a comprehensive agreement of which immigration would constitute only one element. Ambitious agenda.

- In the 1970s, Mexico didn't create enough jobs for Mexicans. (1) Those that were unhappy with their situation, moved to the USA. (2) It provided an important source of income to Mexico in the form of cash remittances that Mexicans living and working in the United regularly send to their relatives back home ($14 billion).

- Regularization, amnesty for those that had lived in the USA illegally, visas. Fox wanted a more liberal USA immigration policy with respect to Mexico.

- According to Mexico, citizens are allowed to travel freely. USA is frustrated b/c they wish that Fox took action to reduce illegal migration into the USA.

- Mexican desire to exhibit a more cooperative attitude towards the USA in order to encourage Washington to look more favourably on the ambitious immigration reform being sought from the Bush administration.

Ð'* Fox wants a European Union model implemented in North America. Fox wants Canada and the USA to transfer substantial resources to Mexico to be used to develop infrastructure and help offset the disadvantages that Mexico faces in trying to compete with the more economically developed countries (Cda. and USA). Cohesion funds. This plan lacked political support. Instead, the USA proposed a development assistant that would include poor regions in the USA as well as in Mexico. It would be administered by NAFTA institutions (North American Development Bank).

Ð'* Drug trafficking

- Fox was a better candidate to talk about it because as a non-PRI president, he was able to differentiate himself from the corrupt ties to illegal drugs.

- Increased arrests of drug traffickers.

- USA and Mexico cooperated on drug interdiction/outlawing.

Ð'* Energy cooperation

Ð'* Mexico needed more investment in its state-owned oil and electric-power industries as to avoid energy shortages in the future. Fox wanted foreign capital into the energy sector. He's a private sector politician. He wanted privatization but changed his mind.

Ð'* Instabilities in the Middle East made the USA to seek sources of energy closer to home.

Ð'* This issue wasn't as important in either the two countries' agendas.

Ð'* Democratization in Mexico