Lila Abed, the acting director of the Mexico Institute at the Wilson Center and a former chief of staff for Mexico's Attorney General, is a key figure in analyzing the relationship between Mexico and the U.S. The upcoming 2024 electoral cycle in both countries is set to have a significant impact on the bilateral agenda.
Critics have raised concerns that the potential election of Claudia Scheinbaum could lead to a strained relationship with the U.S. Scheinbaum has expressed her intention to continue the foreign policy approach of current President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, which has at times fostered a sense of distrust towards the U.S.
Despite occasional challenges in security cooperation, both nations have managed to collaborate on agreements to address migration issues, particularly stemming from Mexico's southern border. Immigration, security, and trade, particularly under the USMCA agreement, are identified as the three core pillars of the bilateral agenda.
The economic ties between the U.S. and Mexico are crucial, with Mexico emerging as the top trading partner of the U.S. in 2023, surpassing both China and Canada. The intertwined nature of their economies underscores the significance of the decisions made by the leaders of both countries.
As the electoral outcomes in both the White House and the Mexican presidential palace unfold, the future direction of the bilateral agenda will be shaped by the priorities set by the incoming administrations. The decisions made in relation to immigration, security, and trade will have far-reaching implications for the relationship between Mexico and the U.S.
