Border Trade Alliance and sister organization in Mexico gather for high-level discussion on cross-border affairs

BTA and BTA México bring together elected officials, administration representatives, business leaders from both countries for important dialogue on trade, security and more; U.S. Reps. Cuellar and Gonzalez bring congressional perspective, CBP official provides administration insight

WASHINGTON (October 12, 2019) – The Border Trade Alliance and its sister organization BTA México gathered in Mexico City on Friday for their annual joint meeting on the most pressing issues facing the U.S.-Mexico border region.

The event, which was preceded by a welcome reception Thursday evening at the residence of new U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Christopher Landau, took place as the U.S. Congress nears a vote on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, which will replace the 25-year-old North American Trade Agreement and deliver important reforms that better reflect the changes that have occurred in the economy since 1994.

“This annual event once again served as an important forum for information sharing between leaders of both countries’ legislative and executive branches and their private sectors,” BTA President Ms. Britton Clarke said. “This year’s edition once again featured valuable, candid discussions that left all of the participants better informed. The discussion was especially timely as lawmakers in both countries have our binational relationship at top of mind as we work toward a ratified USMCA.”

Conducted in a free-flowing roundtable format, the discussion featured remarks by U.S. Representatives Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), who both represent districts along the Texas-Mexico border, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Executive Director for Field Operations Thomas Overacker. Rep. Cuellar has emerged as his party’s most vocal advocate for adoption of USMCA on Capitol Hill and has worked diligently to bridge intraparty differences in order to secure broad, bipartisan passage of the new accord.

“We are always appreciative of the engagement on border issues by members of Congress,” Clarke said. “Rep. Cuellar is a reliable supporter of this event, and we thank him for sharing his enthusiasm for an efficient and secure U.S.-Mexico border with his colleagues.”

The event was also attended by dignitaries from across the Mexican government, including representatives of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s Morena Party. Francisco Cabeza de la Vaca, the governor of the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, attended the Thursday evening reception with Ambassador Landau.

“The BTA was thrilled to be one of the first organizations to welcome Ambassador Landau to his new post as he assumes leadership of one of the U.S.’ most influential and consequential diplomatic missions,” Clarke said. “The U.S. administration and American people are fortunate to have an individual of Ambassador Landau’s stature representing the nation’s interests in Mexico as we seek to forge even stronger diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between the two countries. Already, Ambassador Landau has developed a reputation as a thoughtful advocate for U.S.-Mexico cooperation and ratification of USMCA. We look forward to working with him.”

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