{ "id": "R42917", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "R", "number": "R42917", "active": true, "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov, EveryCRSReport.com, University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "versions": [ { "source_dir": "crsreports.congress.gov", "title": "Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations", "retrieved": "2023-06-14T04:06:04.165689", "id": "R42917_59_2023-05-17", "formats": [ { "filename": "files/2023-05-17_R42917_944849690f98d021cdb108c9406b7bcd53260900.pdf", "format": "PDF", "url": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R42917/59", "sha1": "944849690f98d021cdb108c9406b7bcd53260900" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/2023-05-17_R42917_944849690f98d021cdb108c9406b7bcd53260900.html" } ], "date": "2023-05-17", "summary": null, "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov", "typeId": "R", "active": true, "sourceLink": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/details?prodcode=R42917", "type": "CRS Report" }, { "source_dir": "crsreports.congress.gov", "title": "Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations", "retrieved": "2023-06-14T04:06:04.164439", "id": "R42917_58_2023-05-10", "formats": [ { "filename": "files/2023-05-10_R42917_2a484c222f89653e6ec88cdbcc7e91d664342f6c.pdf", "format": "PDF", "url": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R42917/58", "sha1": "2a484c222f89653e6ec88cdbcc7e91d664342f6c" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/2023-05-10_R42917_2a484c222f89653e6ec88cdbcc7e91d664342f6c.html" } ], "date": "2023-05-10", "summary": null, "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov", "typeId": "R", "active": true, "sourceLink": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/details?prodcode=R42917", "type": "CRS Report" }, { "source_dir": "crsreports.congress.gov", "title": "Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations", "retrieved": "2023-06-14T04:06:04.161237", "id": "R42917_55_2022-03-21", "formats": [ { "filename": "files/2022-03-21_R42917_7b9e490bd371bd7605ff3ee48a12387ae5268306.pdf", "format": "PDF", "url": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R42917/55", "sha1": "7b9e490bd371bd7605ff3ee48a12387ae5268306" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/2022-03-21_R42917_7b9e490bd371bd7605ff3ee48a12387ae5268306.html" } ], "date": "2022-03-21", "summary": null, "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov", "typeId": "R", "active": true, "sourceLink": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/details?prodcode=R42917", "type": "CRS Report" }, { "source_dir": "crsreports.congress.gov", "title": "Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations", "retrieved": "2023-06-14T04:06:04.159976", "id": "R42917_53_2022-03-07", "formats": [ { "filename": "files/2022-03-07_R42917_d1ea6d23eeb075857691cc85dc3bfc0adc46af8b.pdf", "format": "PDF", "url": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R42917/53", "sha1": "d1ea6d23eeb075857691cc85dc3bfc0adc46af8b" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/2022-03-07_R42917_d1ea6d23eeb075857691cc85dc3bfc0adc46af8b.html" } ], "date": "2022-03-07", "summary": null, "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov", "typeId": "R", "active": true, "sourceLink": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/details?prodcode=R42917", "type": "CRS Report" }, { "source_dir": "crsreports.congress.gov", "title": "Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations", "retrieved": "2023-06-14T04:06:04.157570", "id": "R42917_51_2021-01-07", "formats": [ { "filename": "files/2021-01-07_R42917_520283a34935dc288c37c1d7aa25351df082a245.pdf", "format": "PDF", "url": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R42917/51", "sha1": "520283a34935dc288c37c1d7aa25351df082a245" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/2021-01-07_R42917_520283a34935dc288c37c1d7aa25351df082a245.html" } ], "date": "2021-01-07", "summary": null, "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov", "typeId": "R", "active": true, "sourceLink": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/details?prodcode=R42917", "type": "CRS Report" }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 624689, "date": "2020-05-12", "retrieved": "2020-05-19T13:42:11.648957", "title": "Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations", "summary": "Mexico, the 10th most populous country globally, has the 15th largest economy in the world. It is currently the top U.S. trade partner and a major source of energy for the United States, with which it shares a nearly 2,000-mile border and strong economic, cultural, and historical ties. \nAndr\u00e9s Manuel L\u00f3pez Obrador, the populist leader of the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) party, which he created in 2014, took office for a six-year term in December 2018. L\u00f3pez Obrador is the first Mexican president in over two decades to enjoy majorities in both chambers of Congress. In addition to combating corruption, he pledged to build infrastructure in southern Mexico, revive the poor-performing state oil company, address citizen security through social programs, and adopt a foreign policy based on the principle of nonintervention. \nPresident L\u00f3pez Obrador\u2019s once high approval ratings have fallen from 60% in January 2020 to 47% in April, as Mexico faces organized crime-related violence, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and a recession. In 2019, Mexicans generally approved of the L\u00f3pez Obrador government\u2019s new social programs and minimum wage increases, but many also viewed the cuts to government expenditures as wasteful. After Mexico encountered several high-profile massacres and record homicide levels, the L\u00f3pez Obrador government came under U.S. and domestic pressure to improve its security strategy. Mexico\u2019s economy recorded zero growth in 2019, and the International Monetary Fund estimates that it may contract 6.6% in 2020. Nevertheless, President L\u00f3pez Obrador has been slow to implement economic policies and public health measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and low oil prices on the country.\nU.S. Policy\nDespite some predictions to the contrary, U.S.-Mexican relations under the L\u00f3pez Obrador government have thus far remained cordial. Nevertheless, tensions have emerged over several issues, including trade disputes and tariffs, immigration and border security issues, U.S. citizens killed in Mexico, and Mexico\u2019s neutrality regarding the crisis in Venezuela. Security cooperation under the M\u00e9rida Initiative continues, but the Trump Administration has pushed Mexico to improve its antidrug efforts. The Mexican government has accommodated most of the Administration\u2019s border and asylum policy changes that have shifted the burden of interdicting migrants and offering asylum to Mexico. The Administration has requested $63.8 million in foreign aid for Mexico for FY2021. \nIn November 2018, Mexico, the United States, and Canada signed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) free trade agreement to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The L\u00f3pez Obrador administration enacted labor reforms and raised wages to help secure U.S. congressional approval of the necessary implementing legislation. The USMCA is expected to enter into force on July 1, 2020.\nLegislative Action\nThe 116th Congress consulted with the Trump Administration in the renegotiation of NAFTA under Trade Promotion Authority. The USMCA will replace NAFTA upon its entry into force. The House Democratic leadership recommended modifications to USMCA (on labor, the environment, and dispute settlement, among other topics) that led to changes to the agreement and a subsequent negotiation with Mexico and Canada on a USMCA protocol of amendment on December 10, 2019. The House approved USMCA implementing legislation in December 2019, and the Senate followed suit in January 2020 (P.L. 116-113). Both houses have taken action on H.R. 133, the United States-Mexico Economic Partnership Act, which directs the Secretary of State to enhance economic cooperation and educational and professional exchanges with Mexico; the House approved the measure in January 2019, and the Senate approved an amended version in January 2020. Congress provided $162.5 million in foreign assistance to Mexico in FY2019 (P.L. 116-6) and an estimated $157.9 million in FY2020 (P.L. 116-94). The FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 116-92) required a classified assessment of drug trafficking, human trafficking, and alien smuggling in Mexico.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R42917", "sha1": "13aa17f565d622d61e3eb079d9a1dfb11510a1ea", "filename": "files/20200512_R42917_13aa17f565d622d61e3eb079d9a1dfb11510a1ea.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/3.png": "files/20200512_R42917_images_e06aa60af37ee39746614d2c3e0f4a6d87110bb0.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/4.png": "files/20200512_R42917_images_f4f9f840199d0f6011b18833a8af37cfccb9bb88.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/1.png": "files/20200512_R42917_images_166c8cf8245d8fdb46bcf0def46a528b891da5d0.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/5.png": "files/20200512_R42917_images_032efb955b812a03da52c20cb8d32172a6053f68.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/2.png": "files/20200512_R42917_images_4bac98d2c25392b6e45f6718d7632dbafbdb6e15.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/0.png": "files/20200512_R42917_images_ceafc19d85cdc398b513ad68e6c0106e26c02ad9.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R42917", "sha1": "49ab98581f93180bf0b56fd61e984c890ff07482", "filename": "files/20200512_R42917_49ab98581f93180bf0b56fd61e984c890ff07482.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4847, "name": "Latin America, Caribbean, & Canada" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 623299, "date": "2020-04-29", "retrieved": "2020-04-30T22:14:16.751338", "title": "Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations", "summary": "Mexico, the 10th most populous country globally, has the 15th largest economy in the world. It is currently the top U.S. trade partner and a major source of energy for the United States, with which it shares a nearly 2,000-mile border and strong economic, cultural, and historical ties. \nAndr\u00e9s Manuel L\u00f3pez Obrador, the populist leader of the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) party, which he created in 2014, took office for a six-year term in December 2018. L\u00f3pez Obrador is the first Mexican president in over two decades to enjoy majorities in both chambers of Congress. In addition to combating corruption, he pledged to build infrastructure in southern Mexico, revive the poor-performing state oil company, address citizen security through social programs, and adopt a foreign policy based on the principle of nonintervention. \nPresident L\u00f3pez Obrador\u2019s once high approval ratings have fallen from 60% in January 2020 to 47% in April, as Mexico faces organized crime-related violence, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and a recession. In 2019, Mexicans generally approved of the L\u00f3pez Obrador government\u2019s new social programs and minimum wage increases, but many also viewed the cuts to government expenditures as wasteful. After Mexico encountered several high-profile massacres and record homicide levels, the L\u00f3pez Obrador government came under U.S. and domestic pressure to improve its security strategy. Mexico\u2019s economy recorded zero growth in 2019, and the International Monetary Fund estimates that it may contract 6.6% in 2020. Nevertheless, President L\u00f3pez Obrador has been slow to implement economic policies and public health measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and low oil prices on the country.\nU.S. Policy\nDespite some predictions to the contrary, U.S.-Mexico relations under the L\u00f3pez Obrador government have thus far remained friendly. Nevertheless, tensions have emerged over several issues, including trade disputes and tariffs, immigration and border security issues, U.S. citizens killed in Mexico, and Mexico\u2019s neutrality regarding the crisis in Venezuela. Security cooperation under the M\u00e9rida Initiative continues, but the Trump Administration has pushed Mexico to improve its antidrug efforts. The Mexican government has accommodated most of the Administration\u2019s border and asylum policy changes that have shifted the burden of interdicting migrants and offering asylum to Mexico. The Administration has requested $63.8 million in foreign aid for Mexico for FY2021. \nIn November 2018, Mexico, the United States, and Canada signed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) free trade agreement to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The L\u00f3pez Obrador administration enacted labor reforms and raised wages to help secure U.S. congressional approval of the necessary implementing legislation. The USMCA is expected to enter into force on July 1, 2020.\nLegislative Action\nThe 116th Congress consulted with the Trump Administration in the renegotiation of NAFTA under Trade Promotion Authority. The USMCA will replace NAFTA upon its entry into force. The House Democratic leadership recommended modifications to USMCA (on labor, the environment, and dispute settlement, among other topics) that led to changes to the agreement and a subsequent negotiation with Mexico and Canada on a USMCA protocol of amendment on December 10, 2019. The House approved USMCA implementing legislation in December 2019, and the Senate followed suit in January 2020 (P.L. 116-113). Both houses have taken action on H.R. 133, the United States-Mexico Economic Partnership Act, which directs the Secretary of State to enhance economic cooperation and educational and professional exchanges with Mexico; the House approved the measure in January 2019, and the Senate approved an amended version in January 2020. Congress provided $162.5 million in foreign assistance to Mexico in FY2019 (P.L. 116-6) and an estimated $157.9 million in FY2020 (P.L. 116-94). The FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 116-92) required a classified assessment of drug trafficking, human trafficking, and alien smuggling in Mexico.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R42917", "sha1": "6489b0570b702368375ddeb26d36973894d3626b", "filename": "files/20200429_R42917_6489b0570b702368375ddeb26d36973894d3626b.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/3.png": "files/20200429_R42917_images_e06aa60af37ee39746614d2c3e0f4a6d87110bb0.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/4.png": "files/20200429_R42917_images_f4f9f840199d0f6011b18833a8af37cfccb9bb88.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/1.png": "files/20200429_R42917_images_166c8cf8245d8fdb46bcf0def46a528b891da5d0.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/5.png": "files/20200429_R42917_images_032efb955b812a03da52c20cb8d32172a6053f68.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/2.png": "files/20200429_R42917_images_4bac98d2c25392b6e45f6718d7632dbafbdb6e15.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/0.png": "files/20200429_R42917_images_ceafc19d85cdc398b513ad68e6c0106e26c02ad9.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R42917", "sha1": "ad9eea48a42ae89e1e9b8aef4e97885fb9f001e3", "filename": "files/20200429_R42917_ad9eea48a42ae89e1e9b8aef4e97885fb9f001e3.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4847, "name": "Latin America, Caribbean, & Canada" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 597904, "date": "2019-05-02", "retrieved": "2019-05-08T22:06:12.603703", "title": "Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations", "summary": "Congress has maintained significant interest in Mexico, an ally and top trade partner. In recent decades, U.S.-Mexican relations have grown closer through cooperative management of the 2,000-mile border, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and security and rule of law cooperation under the M\u00e9rida Initiative. Relations have been tested, however, by President Donald J. Trump\u2019s shifts in U.S. immigration and trade policies.\nOn December 1, 2018, Andr\u00e9s Manuel L\u00f3pez Obrador, the leftist populist leader of the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) party, which he created in 2014, took office for a six-year term after winning 53% of votes in the July 1, 2018, presidential election. Elected on an anticorruption platform, L\u00f3pez Obrador is the first Mexican president in over two decades to enjoy majorities in both chambers of Congress. L\u00f3pez Obrador succeeded Enrique Pe\u00f1a Nieto of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). From 2013-2014, Pe\u00f1a Nieto shepherded reforms through the Mexican Congress, including one that opened Mexico\u2019s energy sector to foreign investment. He struggled, however, to address human rights abuses, insecurity, and corruption.\nPresident L\u00f3pez Obrador has pledged to make Mexico a more just and peaceful society, but also to govern with austerity. Given fiscal constraints and rising insecurity, observers question whether his goals are attainable. L\u00f3pez Obrador aims to build infrastructure in southern Mexico, revive the state oil company, promote social programs, and maintain a noninterventionist position in foreign affairs, including the crisis in Venezuela. His power is constrained, however, by MORENA\u2019s lack of a two-thirds majority in Congress, which he would need to enact constitutional reforms or to roll back reforms. Non-MORENA governors have also opposed some of his policies. Still, as of April 2019, L\u00f3pez Obrador had an approval rating of78%.\nU.S. Policy\nDespite predictions to the contrary, U.S.-Mexico relations under the L\u00f3pez Obrador government have thus far remained friendly. Nevertheless, tensions have emerged over several key issues, including trade disputes and tariffs, immigration and border security issues, and Mexico\u2019s decision to remain neutral in the crisis in Venezuela. The new government has accommodated U.S. migration and border security policies, despite the domestic criticism it has received for agreeing to allow Central American asylum seekers to await U.S. immigration proceedings in Mexico and for rapidly increasing deportations. The Trump Administration requested $76.3 million for the M\u00e9rida Initiative for FY2020 (a 35% decline from the FY2018-enacted level). \nIn November 2018, Mexico, the United States, and Canada signed a proposed U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) free trade agreement that, if approved by Congress and ratified by Mexico and Canada, would replace NAFTA. Mexico has applied retaliatory tariffs in response to U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports imposed in 2018. \nLegislative Action\nThe 116th Congress may consider approval of the USMCA. Congressional concerns regarding the USMCA include possible effect on the U.S. economy, working conditions in Mexico and the protection of worker rights, enforceability of USMCA labor provisions, U.S.-Mexican economic relations, and other issues. It is not known whether or when Congress will consider implementing legislation for USMCA. In January 2019, Congress provided $145 million for the M\u00e9rida Initiative ($68 million above the budget request) in the FY2019 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 116-6) and asked for reports on how bilateral efforts are combating flows of opioids, methamphetamine, and cocaine. The House also passed H.R. 133 (Cuellar), a bill that would promote economic partnership between the United States and Mexico, as well as educational and professional exchanges. A related bill, S. 587 (Cornyn), has been introduced in the Senate. \nFurther Reading\nCRS In Focus IF10578, Mexico: Evolution of the M\u00e9rida Initiative, 2007-2019.\nCRS In Focus IF10400, Transnational Crime Issues: Heroin Production, Fentanyl Trafficking, and U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation.\nCRS In Focus IF10215, Mexico\u2019s Immigration Control Efforts.\nCRS Report R45489, Recent Migration to the United States from Central America: Frequently Asked Questions. \nCRS Report RL32934, U.S.-Mexico Economic Relations: Trends, Issues, and Implications.\nCRS Report R44981, NAFTA Renegotiation and the Proposed United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) \nCRS Report R45430, Sharing the Colorado River and the Rio Grande: Cooperation and Conflict with Mexico", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R42917", "sha1": "ac016f22737322789d832c0cd9cd053849fcaea3", "filename": "files/20190502_R42917_ac016f22737322789d832c0cd9cd053849fcaea3.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/3.png": "files/20190502_R42917_images_fc1b8a4ca517371caeb0278866eae9b325bb8e14.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/4.png": "files/20190502_R42917_images_b1c47cecc9648c333952f245399a77a5aa1b206d.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/1.png": "files/20190502_R42917_images_189257df2df7e49038a30cb7c5c7d5cb741474a2.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/5.png": "files/20190502_R42917_images_ed9da93866ae3a005cd7723622a9b1d515b54fbf.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/6.png": "files/20190502_R42917_images_6b8f377ac4d0eb46ee6ef925c3e0cb4e0c103ae1.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/2.png": "files/20190502_R42917_images_e1a5322eb2e5d62649f4cee7504fcf98f62fed04.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/0.png": "files/20190502_R42917_images_49b8f7cdf317491f00bbfcb41e90633f001e4e2e.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R42917", "sha1": "c4ef00108a0514a98219142657f4c6e1ed481275", "filename": "files/20190502_R42917_c4ef00108a0514a98219142657f4c6e1ed481275.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4847, "name": "Latin America, Caribbean, & Canada" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 585923, "date": "2018-10-02", "retrieved": "2018-10-04T13:51:04.433835", "title": "Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations", "summary": "Congress has maintained significant interest in Mexico, an ally and top trade partner. In recent decades, U.S.-Mexican relations have grown closer through cooperative management of the 2,000-mile border, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and security and rule of law cooperation under the M\u00e9rida Initiative. Relations have been tested, however, by President Donald J. Trump\u2019s shifts in U.S. immigration and trade policies.\nPresident Enrique Pe\u00f1a Nieto of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) is in the final months of his six-year term. During 2013, Pe\u00f1a Nieto shepherded significant structural reforms through the Mexican congress, including a reform that opened Mexico\u2019s energy market to foreign investment. Nevertheless, he became embroiled in corruption scandals and struggled to address human rights abuses and insecurity. Homicides surpassed record levels in 2017, hurting his already relatively low approval ratings. With Pe\u00f1a Nieto\u2019s presidency ending, his government aims to conclude a revised trade agreement with the Trump Administration before leaving office.\nPolitical attention in Mexico is on the incoming government of Andr\u00e9s Manuel L\u00f3pez Obrador, the populist leader of the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) party, who won 53% of the vote in the July 1, 2018, presidential elections. MORENA\u2019s coalition also won majorities in both chambers of the legislature that convened on September 1, 2018. L\u00f3pez Obrador is a former mayor of Mexico City who ran for president in 2006 and 2012. He promised to govern differently than recent PRI and National Action Party (PAN) administrations, which have presided over periods of moderate economic growth, rising insecurity, and ongoing corruption. Some observers are concerned that L\u00f3pez Obrador could alter Mexico\u2019s investor-friendly policies, but others predict he will govern responsibly, albeit with a more centralized, state-led development approach.\nU.S. Policy\nU.S.-Mexican relations remain relatively strong, but periodic tensions have emerged during the Trump Administration. In January 2017, President Trump\u2019s assertion that Mexico should pay for a border wall that it has consistently opposed led Pe\u00f1a Nieto to cancel a White House visit. The Mexican government continues to oppose paying for the border wall, and it has spoken out against U.S. \u201czero tolerance\u201d immigration policies and is concerned about the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative. However, bilateral security and migration management efforts continue. The Trump Administration requested $76.3 million for the M\u00e9rida Initiative for FY2019 (a 35% decline from the FY2017 enacted level). Mexico has applied retaliatory tariffs in response to recent U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. In NAFTA negotiations, the United States and Mexico reached a preliminary agreement in late August 2018. On September 30, 2018, Canada joined Mexico and the United States in announcing a new U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) free trade agreement. \nLegislative Action\nThe 115th Congress has considered legislation affecting Mexico. The Senate passed a resolution (S.Res. 83) calling for U.S. support for Mexico\u2019s efforts to combat fentanyl. The House approved a resolution reiterating the importance of bilateral cooperation (H.Res. 336). In March 2018, Congress provided $152.6 million for Mexico in the FY2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 115-141), including $145 million for the M\u00e9rida Initiative. The House Appropriations Committee\u2019s FY2019 version of the State Department and Foreign Operations appropriations bill, H.R. 6385 (H.Rept. 115-829), recommends providing $125 million for Mexico. The Senate version of the bill, S. 3108 (S.Rept. 115-282) recommends $169.5 million. In September 2018, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a measure (H.R. 1567) to promote U.S.-Mexican economic cooperation. It is yet unclear when Congress will consider the USMCA agreement. This report may be updated.\nFurther Reading\nCRS In Focus IF10867, Mexico\u2019s 2018 Elections: Results and Potential Implications \nCRS In Focus IF10578, Mexico: Evolution of the M\u00e9rida Initiative, 2007-2019 \nCRS In Focus IF10400, Transnational Crime Issues: Heroin Production, Fentanyl Trafficking, and U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation.\nCRS In Focus IF10215, Mexico\u2019s Immigration Control Efforts.\nCRS Report RL32934, U.S.-Mexico Economic Relations: Trends, Issues, and Implications.\nCRS Insight IN10968, NAFTA and the Preliminary U.S.-Mexico Agreement. \nCRS Report R44981, NAFTA Renegotiation and Modernization.\nCRS Report R44907, NAFTA and Motor Vehicle Trade.\nCRS Report R44875, The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and U.S. Agriculture.\nCRS Report R43312, U.S.-Mexican Water Sharing: Background and Recent Developments.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R42917", "sha1": "de35b3727c5b210f486a023d965037eda5c92a88", "filename": "files/20181002_R42917_de35b3727c5b210f486a023d965037eda5c92a88.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/2.png": "files/20181002_R42917_images_fda1f82a770ab490e127198409f4684790b4b3e0.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/3.png": "files/20181002_R42917_images_cd55ce2501412bed78ce53e327cbf5d6b4804d70.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/0.png": "files/20181002_R42917_images_8d4bfbd4fece0deeaad1d97152f6029f0318916a.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/1.png": "files/20181002_R42917_images_3ebbe41f1cecadaa09d25ca364802c683162229a.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R42917", "sha1": "fc62050ed231d5a9a4fd07df0de32883feb923a2", "filename": "files/20181002_R42917_fc62050ed231d5a9a4fd07df0de32883feb923a2.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4847, "name": "Latin America, Caribbean, & Canada" } ] }, { "source_dir": "crsreports.congress.gov", "title": "Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations", "retrieved": "2023-06-14T04:06:04.148559", "id": "R42917_41_2018-10-01", "formats": [ { "filename": "files/2018-10-01_R42917_5c8b59e37ca5cf869f8a44fdab5896b96e99842b.pdf", "format": "PDF", "url": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R42917/41", "sha1": "5c8b59e37ca5cf869f8a44fdab5896b96e99842b" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/2018-10-01_R42917_5c8b59e37ca5cf869f8a44fdab5896b96e99842b.html" } ], "date": "2018-10-01", "summary": null, "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov", "typeId": "R", "active": true, "sourceLink": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/details?prodcode=R42917", "type": "CRS Report" }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 577984, "date": "2018-01-29", "retrieved": "2018-05-10T11:37:31.846422", "title": "Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations", "summary": "Congress has maintained significant interest in Mexico, an ally and top trade partner. In recent decades, U.S.-Mexican relations have been strengthened through cooperative management of the 2,000-mile border, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and security cooperation under the M\u00e9rida Initiative. Relations have recently been tested, however, by President Donald J. Trump\u2019s shifts in U.S. immigration and trade policies.\nPresident Enrique Pe\u00f1a Nieto of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) is in the final year of his six-year term. During 2013, Pe\u00f1a Nieto shepherded significant structural reforms through the Mexican Congress, including a historic energy reform that opened Mexico\u2019s energy market to foreign investment. He has since struggled to implement some of those reforms, and to address human rights abuses and corruption. Homicides surpassed historic levels in 2017, hurting Pe\u00f1a Nieto\u2019s already relatively low approval ratings. The possibility of a U.S. withdrawal from NAFTA may have hindered investment, growth, and consumer confidence. \nPolitical attention in Mexico is increasingly focused on presidential and legislative elections scheduled for July 1, 2018. Andr\u00e9s Manuel L\u00f3pez Obrador, the leftist populist leader of the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) party, leads among presumptive candidates. Others include Jos\u00e9 Antonio Meade (former finance minister) for the PRI; Ricardo Anaya (former president of the conservative National Action Party, or PAN) for a coalition between the PAN and the leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD); and Margarita Zavala, wife of former President Felipe Calder\u00f3n, as an independent. Some observers are concerned that a L\u00f3pez Obrador victory could signal a significant change in Mexico\u2019s historically investor-friendly policies and cause friction with the United States, but others predict that he would govern pragmatically.\nU.S. Policy\nU.S.-Mexican relations remain relatively strong, but periodic tensions have emerged since January 2017. In recent years, both countries have prioritized bolstering economic ties, particularly energy cooperation; interdicting illegal migration from Central America; and combating drug trafficking, including heroin and fentanyl. Security cooperation has continued under the M\u00e9rida Initiative, a security partnership for which Congress has provided Mexico some $2.7 billion since FY2008. \nIn January 2017, President Trump\u2019s assertion that Mexico should pay for a border wall that it has consistently opposed led Pe\u00f1a Nieto to cancel a White House visit. Although the Mexican government continues to oppose paying for the border wall and is concerned about the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative, which has shielded some 550,000 Mexicans from deportation, bilateral security and migration management efforts continue. The Trump Administration requested $85 million for the M\u00e9rida Initiative for FY2018 (a 35% decline from FY2017). Mexican leaders are preparing for a possible U.S. withdrawal from NAFTA, which could severely impact the Mexican economy, although renegotiations continue. \nLegislative Action\nThe 115th Congress has considered legislation affecting Mexico. Congress provided $130.9 million in FY2017 for the M\u00e9rida Initiative in P.L. 115-31. The House Appropriations Committee\u2019s FY2018 State Department and Foreign Operations appropriations bill, H.R. 3362 (H.Rept. 115-253), incorporated into H.R. 3354, recommends $129 million for the M\u00e9rida Initiative. The Senate Appropriations Committee\u2019s version of the bill, S. 1780 (S.Rept. 115-152), recommends $139 million. The Senate passed a resolution (S.Res. 83) calling for U.S. support for Mexico\u2019s efforts to combat fentanyl. The House approved a bipartisan resolution reiterating the importance of bilateral cooperation (H.Res. 336).\nFurther Reading\nCRS Report R41349, U.S.-Mexican Security Cooperation: The M\u00e9rida Initiative and Beyond.\nCRS In Focus IF10400, Transnational Crime Issues: Heroin Production, Fentanyl Trafficking, and U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation.\nCRS In Focus IF10215, Mexico\u2019s Immigration Control Efforts.\nCRS Report RL32934, U.S.-Mexico Economic Relations: Trends, Issues, and Implications.\nCRS Report R44981, NAFTA Renegotiation and Modernization.\nCRS Report R44907, NAFTA and Motor Vehicle Trade.\nCRS Report R44875, The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and U.S. Agriculture.\nCRS Report R44747, Cross-Border Energy Trade in North America: Present and Potential.\nCRS Report R43312, U.S.-Mexican Water Sharing: Background and Recent Developments.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R42917", "sha1": "9a4e8acb46d47a3069fe376d76b87e45defe4a09", "filename": "files/20180129_R42917_9a4e8acb46d47a3069fe376d76b87e45defe4a09.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/2.png": "files/20180129_R42917_images_919348bee9cc6d920ed5f10e2be8e7edfab82615.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/3.png": "files/20180129_R42917_images_98fd0546433006add2925fadf29cf9c1db64936c.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/0.png": "files/20180129_R42917_images_324c281fb7bd841b5d756f582691d68be796f476.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/1.png": "files/20180129_R42917_images_3ebbe41f1cecadaa09d25ca364802c683162229a.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R42917", "sha1": "6301631354d802f8a7adb5890c0691758e33f3da", "filename": "files/20180129_R42917_6301631354d802f8a7adb5890c0691758e33f3da.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4847, "name": "Latin America, Caribbean, & Canada" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 462605, "date": "2017-07-12", "retrieved": "2017-08-22T13:56:02.160761", "title": "Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations", "summary": "Congress has maintained significant interest in neighboring Mexico, an ally and top trade partner. U.S.-Mexican relations have been strengthened through cooperative management of the 2,000-mile shared border, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and security cooperation under the M\u00e9rida Initiative. They have been tested over the past year, however, by President Donald J. Trump\u2019s proposed shifts in U.S. immigration and trade policies.\nPresident Enrique Pe\u00f1a Nieto of the centrist Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) assumed the Mexican presidency for a six-year term on December 1, 2012. During his first year in office, Pe\u00f1a Nieto shepherded economic, political, justice-sector, education, and energy reforms through the Mexican Congress. He has since struggled to implement those structural reforms and to address human rights abuses, corruption, and impunity. Violence in Mexico is reaching historic levels, hurting Pe\u00f1a Nieto\u2019s already historically low approval ratings (19% in May 2017) and diminishing the PRI\u2019s chances in the 2018 elections. Andr\u00e9s Manuel L\u00f3pez Obrador, the leftist populist leader of the National Regeneration Movement (Morena) party, may win the presidential race unless the opposition is able to unite in a coalition.\nU.S. Policy\nU.S.-Mexican relations remain relatively strong, but periodic tension has emerged since President Trump took office in January 2017. In recent years, both countries have prioritized bolstering economic ties, modernizing the border, and promoting educational exchanges. Bilateral energy cooperation also has accelerated. Security cooperation has continued under the M\u00e9rida Initiative, a security partnership for which Congress has provided Mexico more than $2.8 billion since FY2008. With U.S. support, Mexico has stepped up efforts to stop migrants attempting to transit its territory and to eradicate opium poppy and interdict heroin and fentanyl. \nIn January 2017, President Trump\u2019s assertion that Mexico should pay for a border wall that it has consistently opposed led President Pe\u00f1a Nieto to cancel a White House visit. Although Mexico continues to oppose the border wall, its leaders have pledged to continue bilateral security and migration cooperation and to support U.S. efforts to promote economic growth and security in Central America. The Trump Administration\u2019s FY2018 budget request includes $85 million for the M\u00e9rida Initiative (a 38.8% decline from the FY2017 estimate). Mexican leaders are cautiously optimistic that President Trump has decided to renegotiate rather than withdraw from NAFTA. The two leaders met for the first time on July 7, 2017, to discuss NAFTA and how to confront regional challenges, including drug trafficking, illegal migration, and the crisis in Venezuela.\nLegislative Action\nThe 115th Congress has considered legislation affecting Mexico. Congress provided $139 million in FY2017 for the M\u00e9rida Initiative in the FY2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 115-31), $10 million above the budget request; it is now considering the FY2018 budget request. The Senate passed a resolution (S.Res. 83) calling for U.S. support for Mexico\u2019s efforts to combat illicit fentanyl. Bipartisan resolutions that are similar, but not identical, have been introduced in both chambers reiterating the importance of bilateral cooperation (e.g., H.Res. 336 and S.Res. 102). Other proposed legislation relates to combating firearms trafficking to Mexico (H.R. 1692). \nFurther Reading\nCRS Report R41349, U.S.-Mexican Security Cooperation: The M\u00e9rida Initiative and Beyond, by Clare Ribando Seelke and Kristin Finklea.\nCRS In Focus IF10400, Heroin Production in Mexico and U.S. Policy, by Clare Ribando Seelke and Liana W. Rosen.\nCRS In Focus IF10215, Mexico\u2019s Immigration Control Efforts, by Clare Ribando Seelke.\nCRS Report RL32934, U.S.-Mexico Economic Relations: Trends, Issues, and Implications, by M. Angeles Villarreal.\nCRS In Focus IF10047, North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), by M. Angeles Villarreal.\nCRS Report R44875, The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and U.S. Agriculture, by Ren\u00e9e Johnson.\nCRS Report R44747, Cross-Border Energy Trade in North America: Present and Potential, by Paul W. Parfomak et al.\nCRS Report R43312, U.S.-Mexican Water Sharing: Background and Recent Developments, by Nicole T. Carter, Stephen P. Mulligan, and Clare Ribando Seelke.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R42917", "sha1": "3c8a314e2995bab4ea44e737cc465e417ca836b9", "filename": "files/20170712_R42917_3c8a314e2995bab4ea44e737cc465e417ca836b9.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/2.png": "files/20170712_R42917_images_a7b4d4b5f6d69f9ba8a8f3ce029de7c01b1894ff.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/1.png": "files/20170712_R42917_images_919348bee9cc6d920ed5f10e2be8e7edfab82615.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/0.png": "files/20170712_R42917_images_c6886e712eb8c720ef0e986acf9e48bc471343a0.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/4.png": "files/20170712_R42917_images_929abff97face983a3894df53a632136e0c6438e.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42917_files&id=/3.png": "files/20170712_R42917_images_98fd0546433006add2925fadf29cf9c1db64936c.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R42917", "sha1": "f2abcded2e6f72c11a77fed159987b4bef6d0cab", "filename": "files/20170712_R42917_f2abcded2e6f72c11a77fed159987b4bef6d0cab.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4847, "name": "Latin America, Caribbean, & Canada" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 457926, "date": "2017-01-01", "retrieved": "2017-01-03T22:35:54.398894", "title": "Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations", "summary": "Congress has maintained significant interest in neighboring Mexico, an ally and top trade partner. President Enrique Pe\u00f1a Nieto of the centrist Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) assumed the Mexican presidency on December 1, 2012, after 12 years of rule by the conservative National Action Party (PAN). Pe\u00f1a Nieto shepherded structural reforms through the Mexican Congress during his first year in office, but he has since struggled to implement some of those reforms and to address human rights abuses, corruption, and impunity. Some of Mexico\u2019s domestic challenges have been exacerbated by uncertainty about the future of its relations with the United States.\nPresident Pe\u00f1a Nieto has made high-level Cabinet changes and prioritized anticorruption efforts, partially in response to his low approval ratings and his party\u2019s weak performance in June 2016 gubernatorial elections. Ongoing protests against education reforms by teachers\u2019 unions turned deadly in June 2016 as protestors and police clashed. Low oil prices have prompted the state-owned oil company to record significant losses. Problems in the energy sector, as well as global uncertainty, have contributed to the depreciation of Mexico\u2019s currency and led to budget cuts. A successful bidding round for Mexico\u2019s deepwater fields held in December 2016 bodes well for the future of the 2013-2014 energy reforms. The successful June 2016 adoption of a new accusatorial criminal justice system has been overshadowed by rising homicides. The government has been unable to resolve high-profile human rights cases, such as the case of 43 students who were forcibly abducted and murdered in Guerrero in September 2014. \nU.S. Policy\nU.S.-Mexican relations have remained strong despite periodic tensions and the emergence of immigration and trade as divisive issues in the U.S. elections. Both countries have prioritized bolstering economic ties, modernizing the border, and promoting educational exchanges through High-Level Economic Dialogues among Cabinet officials started in 2013. Those issues also figured prominently during the June 2016 North American Leaders Summit hosted by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and a July 2016 White House meeting between Presidents Obama and Pe\u00f1a Nieto. Bilateral energy cooperation in hydrocarbons and renewables has accelerated. Security cooperation has continued under the framework of the M\u00e9rida Initiative, a foreign aid program for which Congress has provided some $2.6 billion since FY2008. Mexico has stepped up efforts to stop migrants attempting to transit through its territory to the United States. \nBilateral relations could change as a new U.S. Administration takes office in January 2017. During the campaign, President-elect Donald J. Trump discussed renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), fortifying the southwestern border, and increasing deportations. President Pe\u00f1a Nieto has congratulated President-elect Trump and said that he will seek a pragmatic relationship with the United States that advances the interests of both countries.\nLegislative Action\nThe 114th Congress has considered legislation affecting U.S.-Mexican trade and security cooperation. The FY2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 114-113) ended the U.S. crude oil export ban, which could enhance bilateral energy trade. In response to Mexico and Canada\u2019s threats to impose retaliatory tariffs for U.S. country-of-origin labeling on meat products, P.L. 114-113 ended the labeling requirements. The act also provided $161.2 million in aid for Mexico and carried forward reporting requirements from P.L. 113-235 related to Mexico\u2019s water deliveries in the Rio Grande Valley.\nPresident Obama\u2019s FY2017 aid request for Mexico totaled $133.5 million. The House Appropriations Committee\u2019s version of the FY2017 foreign operations measure, H.R. 5912, would provide $157.5 million for Mexico. The Senate Appropriations Committee\u2019s version, S. 3117, would fully fund the Administration\u2019s request. The 114th Congress did not complete action on FY2017 appropriations, but in December 2016 it approved a continuing resolution (P.L. 114-254) providing foreign aid funding through April 28, 2017, at the FY2016 level, minus an across-the-board reduction of almost 0.2%.\nFurther Reading\nCRS Report R41349, U.S.-Mexican Security Cooperation: The M\u00e9rida Initiative and Beyond, by Clare Ribando Seelke and Kristin Finklea.\nCRS In Focus IF10400, Heroin Production in Mexico and U.S. Policy, by Clare Ribando Seelke and Liana W. Rosen. \nCRS In Focus IF10215, Mexico\u2019s Recent Immigration Enforcement Efforts, by Clare Ribando Seelke \nCRS Report RL32934, U.S.-Mexico Economic Relations: Trends, Issues, and Implications, by M. Angeles Villarreal. \nCRS In Focus IF10047, North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), by M. Angeles Villarreal. \nCRS In Focus IF10480, The North American Development Bank, by Rebecca M. Nelson and Martin A. Weiss. \nCRS Report RS22955, Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods and the WTO Trade Dispute on Meat Labeling, by Joel L. Greene.\nCRS Report R43313, Mexico's Oil and Gas Sector: Background, Reform Efforts, and Implications for the United States, coordinated by Clare Ribando Seelke. \nCRS Report R43312, U.S.-Mexico Water Sharing: Background and Recent Developments, by Nicole T. Carter, Clare Ribando Seelke, and Daniel T. Shedd.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R42917", "sha1": "3e483edcff296c873014e5b10d471d13d1268d0f", "filename": "files/20170101_R42917_3e483edcff296c873014e5b10d471d13d1268d0f.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R42917", "sha1": "b81dceb26c44c8cd2a36aba4e800b3ad20ca5876", "filename": "files/20170101_R42917_b81dceb26c44c8cd2a36aba4e800b3ad20ca5876.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4847, "name": "Latin America, Caribbean, & Canada" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 457384, "date": "2016-12-05", "retrieved": "2016-12-09T19:07:37.769460", "title": "Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations", "summary": "Congress has maintained significant interest in neighboring Mexico, an ally and top trade partner. President Enrique Pe\u00f1a Nieto of the centrist Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) assumed the Mexican presidency on December 1, 2012, after 12 years of rule by the conservative National Action Party (PAN). Pe\u00f1a Nieto shepherded structural reforms through the Mexican Congress during his first year in office, but he has since struggled to implement some of those reforms and to address human rights abuses, corruption, and impunity. Some of Mexico\u2019s domestic challenges have been exacerbated by uncertainty about the future of its relations with the United States.\nPresident Pe\u00f1a Nieto has recently made high-level Cabinet changes and prioritized anticorruption efforts, partially in response to his low approval ratings and his party\u2019s weak performance in June 2016 gubernatorial elections. Ongoing protests against education reforms by teachers\u2019 unions turned deadly in June 2016 as protestors and police clashed. Low oil prices have dampened investors\u2019 interest in the opening of Mexico\u2019s energy sector to private investment, and the state-owned oil company has recorded significant losses. Problems in the energy sector, as well as global uncertainty, have contributed to the depreciation of Mexico\u2019s currency and led to budget cuts. The June 2016 adoption of a new criminal justice system has been overshadowed by rising homicides. The government has been unable to resolve high-profile human rights cases, such as the case of 43 students who were forcibly abducted and murdered in Guerrero in September 2014. \nU.S. Policy\nU.S.-Mexican relations have remained strong despite periodic tensions and the emergence of immigration and trade as divisive issues in the U.S. elections. Both countries have prioritized bolstering economic ties, modernizing the border, and promoting educational exchanges through High-Level Economic Dialogues among Cabinet officials started in 2013. Those issues also figured prominently during the June 2016 North American Leaders Summit hosted by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and a July 2016 White House meeting between Presidents Obama and Pe\u00f1a Nieto. Bilateral energy cooperation has accelerated, both in hydrocarbons and renewables. Security cooperation has continued under the framework of the M\u00e9rida Initiative, a foreign aid program for which Congress has provided some $2.6 billion since FY2008. Mexico has stepped up efforts to stop migrants attempting to transit through its territory to the United States. \nBilateral relations could change as a new U.S. Administration takes office in January 2017. During the campaign, President-elect Donald J. Trump discussed renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), fortifying the southwestern border, and increasing deportations. President Pe\u00f1a Nieto has congratulated President-elect Trump and said that he will seek a pragmatic relationship with the United States that advances the interests of both countries.\nLegislative Action\nThe 114th Congress has considered legislation affecting U.S.-Mexican trade and security cooperation. The FY2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 114-113) ended the U.S. crude oil export ban, which could enhance bilateral energy trade. In response to Mexico and Canada\u2019s threats to impose retaliatory tariffs for U.S. country-of-origin labeling on meat products, P.L. 114-113 ended the labeling requirements. The act also provided $161.2 million in aid for Mexico and carried forward reporting requirements from P.L. 113-235 related to Mexico\u2019s water deliveries in the Rio Grande Valley.\nPresident Obama\u2019s FY2017 aid request for Mexico totaled $133.5 million. The House Appropriations Committee\u2019s version of the FY2017 foreign operations measure, H.R. 5912, would provide $157.5 million for Mexico. The Senate Appropriations Committee\u2019s version, S. 3117, would fully fund the Administration\u2019s request. A continuing resolution (P.L. 114-223) is funding foreign aid to Mexico at the FY2016 level, minus an across-the-board reduction of some 0.5%, until December 9, 2016.\nFurther Reading\nCRS Report R41349, U.S.-Mexican Security Cooperation: The M\u00e9rida Initiative and Beyond, by Clare Ribando Seelke and Kristin Finklea.\nCRS In Focus IF10400, Heroin Production in Mexico and U.S. Policy, by Clare Ribando Seelke and Liana W. Rosen. \nCRS In Focus IF10215, Mexico\u2019s Recent Immigration Enforcement Efforts, by Clare Ribando Seelke \nCRS Report RL32934, U.S.-Mexico Economic Relations: Trends, Issues, and Implications, by M. Angeles Villarreal. \nCRS In Focus IF10047, North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), by M. Angeles Villarreal. \nCRS In Focus IF10480, The North American Development Bank, by Rebecca M. Nelson and Martin A. Weiss. \nCRS Report RS22955, Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods and the WTO Trade Dispute on Meat Labeling, by Joel L. Greene.\nCRS Report R43313, Mexico's Oil and Gas Sector: Background, Reform Efforts, and Implications for the United States, coordinated by Clare Ribando Seelke. \nCRS Report R43312, U.S.-Mexico Water Sharing: Background and Recent Developments, by Nicole T. Carter, Clare Ribando Seelke, and Daniel T. Shedd.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R42917", "sha1": "d10203cafd5cb41fb178cfb3a3280f318ea8e6f8", "filename": "files/20161205_R42917_d10203cafd5cb41fb178cfb3a3280f318ea8e6f8.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R42917", "sha1": "71979fc4aba48c0cbdd689c04db1be7fa031e277", "filename": "files/20161205_R42917_71979fc4aba48c0cbdd689c04db1be7fa031e277.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4847, "name": "Latin America, Caribbean, & Canada" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 451296, "date": "2016-03-30", "retrieved": "2016-04-06T16:51:18.488370", "title": "Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations", "summary": "Congress has maintained significant interest in neighboring Mexico, a close ally and top trade partner. President Enrique Pe\u00f1a Nieto of the centrist Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) assumed the Mexican presidency on December 1, 2012, after 12 years of rule by the conservative National Action Party (PAN). Pe\u00f1a Nieto enacted structural reforms during his first year in office but has struggled to address human rights abuses, corruption, and impunity. His government\u2019s security record has been turbulent; it has included the capture, escape, and subsequent recapture of Joaqu\u00edn \u201cEl Chapo\u201d Guzm\u00e1n\u2014head of the powerful Sinaloa criminal organization. \nPresident Pe\u00f1a Nieto\u2019s first three years in office brought mixed results for Mexico. During 2013, Pe\u00f1a Nieto\u2019s \u201cPact for Mexico\u201d agreement with the PAN and the leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) facilitated the passage of education, telecommunications, and energy reforms. Implementation of the aforementioned reforms has occurred over the course of the past two years, but low oil prices have caused Mexico\u2019s state oil company to record huge losses, prompted currency depreciation, and necessitated steep budget cuts. Advances in implementing a new criminal justice system have been overshadowed by an increase in homicides in 2015 and the government\u2019s inability to resolve emblematic cases, such as the 43 students who were forcibly abducted\u2014and likely murdered\u2014in Guerrero in September 2014. \nU.S. Policy\nU.S.-Mexican relations have remained strong despite periodic tensions. President Obama has embraced Pe\u00f1a Nieto\u2019s desire to bolster economic ties and focus on issues such as trade facilitation and education. Those issues figured prominently during a January 2015 bilateral meeting between the presidents and during Vice President Biden\u2019s participation in the third High-Level Economic Dialogue in February 2016. U.S.-Mexican rule-of-law cooperation has continued under the M\u00e9rida Initiative, which focuses on justice sector reform and securing Mexico\u2019s southern border. The governments are in the process of developing a bilateral plan to combat increasing heroin production and trafficking in Mexico. Energy cooperation has accelerated, particularly in the hydrocarbons sector. In January 2016, Mexico repaid its water debt from the 2010-2015 delivery cycle as per a 1944 Rio Grande water-sharing treaty, easing a source of bilateral tension.\nLegislative Action\nThe 114th Congress has considered legislation affecting U.S.-Mexican trade and security cooperation. Congress enacted legislation giving President Obama trade promotion authority (P.L. 114-26), which likely helped to advance negotiations for a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement signed in February 2016 that would alter the provisions governing bilateral trade. The FY2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 114-113) ended the U.S. crude oil export ban, which could enhance bilateral energy trade. In response to Mexico and Canada\u2019s threats to impose retaliatory tariffs for U.S. country-of-origin labeling on meat products, P.L. 114-113 ended the labeling requirements. \nCongress has continued oversight of the M\u00e9rida Initiative, a bilateral security effort for which it appropriated nearly $2.5 billion from FY2008 through FY2015. P.L. 114-113 provided at least $147.5 million for Mexico in FY2016, including $139 million in accounts that have funded the M\u00e9rida Initiative. The final amount destined for the M\u00e9rida Initiative is as yet unclear, however. The act carried forward reporting requirements from P.L. 113-235 related to the adequacy of Mexico\u2019s water deliveries in the Rio Grande Valley. Congress is now considering President Obama\u2019s FY2017 aid request for Mexico, which totaled $133.5 million, including $129 million for the M\u00e9rida Initiative. \nAlong with this action on some issues of bilateral interest, the Senate continues consideration of the Obama Administration\u2019s nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Mexico.\nFurther Reading\nCRS Report R41349, U.S.-Mexican Security Cooperation: The M\u00e9rida Initiative and Beyond, by Clare Ribando Seelke and Kristin Finklea.\nCRS Report R41576, Mexico: Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Organizations, by June S. Beittel. \nCRS In Focus IF10215, Mexico\u2019s Recent Immigration Enforcement Efforts, by Clare Ribando Seelke \nCRS Report RL32934, U.S.-Mexico Economic Relations: Trends, Issues, and Implications, by M. Angeles Villarreal. \nCRS Report RS22955, Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods and the WTO Trade Dispute on Meat Labeling, by Joel L. Greene.\nCRS Report R43313, Mexico's Oil and Gas Sector: Background, Reform Efforts, and Implications for the United States, coordinated by Clare Ribando Seelke. \nCRS Report R43312, U.S.-Mexico Water Sharing: Background and Recent Developments, by Nicole T. Carter, Clare Ribando Seelke, and Daniel T. Shedd.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R42917", "sha1": "671949c1df2fb4284e2a56718ad4058a4f89b8e9", "filename": "files/20160330_R42917_671949c1df2fb4284e2a56718ad4058a4f89b8e9.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R42917", "sha1": "bc3d645d5b224258454e044273470a1f76c8c086", "filename": "files/20160330_R42917_bc3d645d5b224258454e044273470a1f76c8c086.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 2911, "name": "North America: Canada and Mexico" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc806142/", "id": "R42917_2015Jan02", "date": "2015-01-02", "retrieved": "2016-03-19T13:57:26", "title": "Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations", "summary": null, "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20150102_R42917_96054304202a70a4c00d22d9fd44d3aed581cd00.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20150102_R42917_96054304202a70a4c00d22d9fd44d3aed581cd00.html" } ], "topics": [] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc501920/", "id": "R42917_2014Dec16", "date": "2014-12-16", "retrieved": "2015-03-30T22:03:27", "title": "Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations", "summary": "This report provides an overview of political and economic conditions in Mexico followed by assessments of some key issues of congressional interest in Mexico: security, human rights, trade, migration, energy, and water issues. The report summarizes legislative action that occurred related to these topics during the 113th Congress and refers to other CRS products and experts that can be consulted for further information.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20141216_R42917_e34cd64744528d73945bcf50ed9d9a6d694e49dc.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20141216_R42917_e34cd64744528d73945bcf50ed9d9a6d694e49dc.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign policy", "name": "Foreign policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Mexico", "name": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Mexico" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign relations -- Mexico -- U.S.", "name": "Foreign relations -- Mexico -- U.S." }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Water resources", "name": "Water resources" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc462477/", "id": "R42917_2014Jan30", "date": "2014-01-30", "retrieved": "2014-12-05T09:57:41", "title": "Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations", "summary": "This report provides an overview of political and economic conditions in Mexico followed by assessments of some key issues of congressional interest in Mexico: migration, trade, security, human rights, energy, and water issues. The report summarizes legislative action that has occurred related to these topics and refers to other CRS products and experts that can be consulted for further information.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20140130_R42917_b625f7524254a74169b4fbbabd3378599df80516.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20140130_R42917_b625f7524254a74169b4fbbabd3378599df80516.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign policy", "name": "Foreign policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Mexico", "name": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Mexico" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign relations -- Mexico -- U.S.", "name": "Foreign relations -- Mexico -- U.S." }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Water resources", "name": "Water resources" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc227844/", "id": "R42917_2013Aug15", "date": "2013-08-15", "retrieved": "2013-11-05T18:07:05", "title": "Mexico's Pe\u00f1a Nieto Administration: Priorities and Key Issues in U.S.-Mexican Relations", "summary": "This report provides an introduction of Mexico during Pe\u00f1a Nieto administration. The report discusses key issues of congressional interest in the bilateral relationship.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20130815_R42917_ba4ab42edc0327778042ed23130db78286bf6532.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20130815_R42917_ba4ab42edc0327778042ed23130db78286bf6532.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign policy", "name": "Foreign policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Mexico", "name": "Foreign relations -- U.S. -- Mexico" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Foreign economic relations -- U.S. -- Mexico", "name": "Foreign economic relations -- U.S. -- Mexico" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Politics and government -- Mexico", "name": "Politics and government -- Mexico" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc463192/", "id": "R42917_2013Jan16", "date": "2013-01-16", "retrieved": "2014-12-05T09:57:41", "title": "Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations", "summary": "This report provides an overview of political and economic conditions in Mexico followed by assessments of some key issues of congressional interest in Mexico: migration, trade, security, human rights, energy, and water issues. 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