U.S.-Mexico Economic Council (USMXECO)

✅ U.S.-Mexico Economic Council (USMXECO) Board of Directors 2024 Meeting Recap: We were thrilled to welcome business leaders to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce earlier this week for our U.S.-Mexico Economic Council's Board of Directors (BOD) Meeting. Set in the Chamber's Great Hall, the convening underscored the importance of the U.S.-Mexico commercial relationship and the commitment of CEOs and other executives to bolster trade and investment to Mexico and ensure North America's prosperity. As companies seek to make supply chains more resilient, the BOD defined 3 fundamental steps to capitalize on the pontential of the nearshoring effect. The “Three Cs”:   • CERTAINTY: A rational, coherent, bilateral policy framework, with a sense of what we are striving to accomplish; • CLARITY: An efficient path to obtaining necessary permits, with clear timelines so that investors can appropriately evaluate risk and set expectations; and • COORDINATION: A commitment to work efficiently and expeditiously to support projects of mutual interest – and to position North America as a region of excellence for global markets.   The discussion demonstrated the business community's dedication to solutions that aim to ensure that Mexico remains an attractive destination for investment. In line with this objective, the U.S.-Mexico Economic Council (USMXECO) will continue to work through its six working groups on Trade Facilitation, Trade Policy, Investment, Services, Energy and Health to drive forward policy recommendations that will bolster two-way trade and grow strategic supply chains on both sides of our shared border. We thank our working group chairs and board members for their contributions, and, in particular, we would like to recognize the leadership of our Chair and Vice Chair, Sarah Bairstow and Pat D'Eramo. Special thanks as well to IFC - International Finance Corporation of Mexico for their participation in providing an outlook on nearshoring, its challenges and opportunities. Thanks again to the leadership team of the Council for making this happen!

Day two of our Health Delegation to Mexico City was a resounding success, during which we continued to build valuable partnerships and discuss future initiatives.   Our day began with a meeting at the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico (AmCham), where we explored collaboration on a future health forum (stay tuned!).   Next, we had a productive session with COFEPRIS, focusing on digitizing processes and accelerating authorizations to enhance efficiency. This collaboration aims to streamline regulatory procedures, benefiting the health sector and improving patient care in Mexico.   Our discussion with IMSS-BIENESTAR centered on how the private sector can support the new health system in providing quality coverage for all citizens. By leveraging private sector expertise, we aim to help ensure that every Mexican receives comprehensive and high-quality healthcare services.   Lastly, in our meeting with Birmex, we talked about improving distribution processes and achieving predictability in purchasing orders. By enhancing the efficiency and reliability of medical supply distribution, we aim to improve healthcare delivery across Mexico.   A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in our delegation. We look forward to continued collaboration and making a positive impact on healthcare systems and patient outcomes in Mexico.

Mañana interesante: Primero tuvimos un diálogo con la U.S. Chamber of Commerce para intercambiar puntos de vista sobre las agenda de trabajo en materia de fomento industrial que hemos emprendido en COFEPRIS. Después, junto con mi amiga y compañera Miriam Loera, Comisionada de Evidencia y Manejo de Riesgos conversamos con Felix Arellano, Global Development Safety Risk Managment de Roche sobre los retos regulatorios y la ruta de implementación de guías #ICH en nuestra institución.

The first day of the U.S.-Mexico Economic Council (USMXECO) Health Delegation to Mexico City was a success! After three impactful meetings, we are excited to share some key highlights. Our delegation, representing leading healthcare companies, engaged in meaningful discussions with the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, the National Institute of Public Health, and Mexico’s General Health Council. With the U.S. Embassy, we explored insights into the healthcare sector and upcoming governmental transitions, emphasizing the importance of continued public-private collaboration. This theme carried through to our discussions with the National Institute of Public Health, where we focused on how the private sector can enhance the Institute’s data collection and analysis efforts. By leveraging private sector expertise and resources, we aim to support their mission of improving public health outcomes through data-driven strategies. Our meeting with Mexico’s General Health Council further reinforced the need for transparent and efficient mechanisms for public-private collaboration. Together, we are committed to developing innovative solutions to improve healthcare delivery and patient care across the nation.

It is with deep sadness that the U.S.-Mexico Economic Council mourns the sudden passing of former co-Chairman Pat Ottensmeyer. Stakeholders on both sides of the border will agree that, in his four years as Chair of the Council and U.S.-Mexico CEO Dialogue, no one in the private sector did more to advance the U.S.-Mexico bilateral economic relationship than Pat. We extend our most heartfelt thoughts, prayers and support to Pat’s fiancée Deanne, his daughters and their families, and to his countless friends and admirers.

The U.S.-Mexico Economic Council (USMXECO) is excited to announce our upcoming Health Delegation to Mexico City! From July 31 to August 2, we look forward to a dynamic set of meetings, with more than 35 participants from notable companies like Organon, Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, Haleon, Siemens, Abbvie, Ultragenyx, and others, who will engage in discussions with Mexican government officials to better understand the 2024 - 2030 agenda for the health industry, including opportunities for public-private collaboration to strengthen Mexico’s health system. A special thank you to Holland & Knight LLP and Global Nexus for partnering with us in the execution of this very important delegation.

It is with deep sadness that the U.S.-Mexico Economic Council mourns the sudden passing of former co-Chairman Pat Ottensmeyer. Stakeholders on both sides of the border will agree that, in his four years as Chair of the Council and U.S.-Mexico CEO Dialogue, no one in the private sector did more to advance the U.S.-Mexico bilateral economic relationship than Pat. We extend our most heartfelt thoughts, prayers and support to Pat’s fiancée Deanne, his daughters and their families, and to his countless friends and admirers.

This month we had the opportunity to discuss future collaboration opportunities with AMITI A.C. We welcomed a delegation of leaders in the industry including Sofia Perez Gasque Muslera | Oscar Diez | Jorge Castilla (Accenture) | Pablo G. (axity)| Lorena Alejandra Torres Guerrero (Capgemini) | Cesar Martinez Aragon (T-Systems México) | Francisco Javier Hurtado Camacho (Minsait) | Isabel Davara Fernández de Marcos, PhD (Davara Abogados) | Alberto Hernandez Moreno (Santander) | Selene Diez Reyes Forte Innovation Consulting. The discussion centered on the initiatives and opportunities for the Mexico 2024-2030 digital agenda, and the importance of prioritizing topics like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and nearshoring. The U.S.-Mexico Economic Council (USMXECO) appreciated the opportunity to learn more about AMITI's vision, strengths, and projects, and we are looking forward to collaborating on our common goals of the digital and technological sectors. Special thank you to our partners at Holland & Knight LLP, Paul Stimers, Stephanie Goldstein and Bailey Wynn, and the leadership of Mexico's Council, Anne McKinney, Sandra Lizeth Cordova Solis, and Elsie Bustamante for cohosting this important event. 

Earlier this month, we were delighted to host the current Foreign Affairs Secretary and future Environment and Natural Resources Secretary-Designate for the upcoming Claudia Sheinbaum Administration, Alicia Barcena, together with Admiral Jose Rafael Ojeda Duran, Mexican Minister of Navy, and a high-level bilateral government delegation including the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, Mexico’s Ambassador to the U.S., Esteban Moctezuma Barragán, and the Head of the North America Unit (SRE), Roberto Velasco Alvarez, among other key participants. The roundtable session, ‘Mexico in Transition: Priorities and Next Steps’, featured a deep dive on investment opportunities amid the transition between administrations. Particularly, a senior delegation of CEOs participated in a timely discussion of the prospects and challenges related to the development of the Interoceanic Corridor of the Mexican Isthmus (better known as CIIT, for the Spanish acronym), a 188-mile railway connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The U.S.-Mexico Economic Council (USMXECO) thanks the Chair of the Council, Sarah Bairstow, for leading the session, as well as the Mexican executive representatives of PROISTMO, Mota-Engil, ICA, Grupo Carso, INDI, and the U.S. company members of the Council who attended to this important session, a true example of bilateral private and public collaboration. The U.S.-Mexico Economic Council (USMXECO) will be very pleased to continue working with the Mexican and U.S. authorities in this insignia project. We applaud Alicia Barcena’s emphasis on addressing key social and economic issues through the further development of southern Mexico. Stayed tuned for more discussions about the CIIT, including a potential delegation and site visits! #Trade #USMEXICO #BilateralRelations #SRE #CIIT #USEmbassy Photos by Jonathan Ernst / © U.S. Chamber of Commerce

A quick recap on our successful inaugural delegation visit to Ottawa, Canada!   At the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's U.S.-Canada Business Initiative, we are energized to advance work to strengthen the bilateral commercial relationship and boost North American competitiveness following our return to Washington after our visit to Ottawa last week. We are grateful for the immense hospitality of the Canadian government and its willingness to hold dialogue on issues relating to Canada’s investment climate, including USMCA/CUSMA compliance, Canada’s digital policy agenda, and the revitalization of the United States-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC). As we continue to grow the Initiative, we look forward to returning again to Canada to provide continuity to these vital conversations. In particular, we want to recognize Ministers François-Philippe Champagne and Anita Indira Anand, as well as Jason Easton at the Office of the Prime Minister, for their commitment to enhancing two-way trade between the U.S. and Canada.   A special thank you to the United States Embassy Ottawa and Consulates in Canada team, and especially DCM Marybeth Turner, for their partnership in the AI Policy Dialogue and the warm welcome during our meetings and high-level reception and dinner. Thanks to all parliamentarians working on the bilateral relationship and for organizing special sessions with delegates, and your candor during our conversations--Colin Deacon, Randy Hoback, Kyle Seeback, Matt Jeneroux, John McKay, Vance Badawey, Brian Masse, Larry Maguire, Francesco Sorbara, and Taleeb Noormohamed. Also to our partners at American Chamber of Commerce in Canada (AmCham Canada), Rick Tachuk and Kim Kelly, who co-organized this delegation; as well as our friends at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Catherine Fortin LeFaivre (elle/she/her), Gaphel Kongtsa and Patrick Gill, MPPA, for their contributions. We also want to recognize the team effort at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, led by Sean Heather, who also kicked off the visit with his testimony at a hearing before the Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade regarding the 2026 USMCA/CUSMA review, and Sandra Lizeth Cordova Solis, the new Executive Director of the U.S.-Canada Business Initiative. As well as Megan Bridges, Senior Manager for the Americas, Abel Torres, Executive Director of the Center for Global Regulatory Cooperation, and Michael Richards, Senior Director of Policy at C_TEC.    This delegation was only possible thanks to the trust of our member companies 3M, Amazon, Cisco, DHL Express, DoorDash, Dow, Expedia Group, Google, Kyndryl, and Merck. We look forward to continue working towards a strong and prosperous North America.