Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Meets with Mexico’s Secretary of Economy Gerardo Ruiz Mateos

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke hosted a meeting with Mexico’s Secretary of Economy Gerardo Ruiz Mateos at the Commerce Department today. This was the first meeting between Secretary Ruiz and Secretary Locke.

Secretary Locke and Secretary Ruiz highlighted the importance of our bilateral trade relationship and the need for continued cooperation in strengthening our competitiveness in the region and removing impediments to trade.

Secretary Locke and Secretary Ruiz agreed to work together on priorities identified by President Obama and President Calderon during their meeting in April in Mexico City, including border infrastructure, customs facilitation and regulatory cooperation.

“Cooperation in these areas will not only help promote and facilitate trade but lower the cost of goods to consumers in both the United States and Mexico and contribute to economic development on both sides,” Secretary Locke said.

Both secretaries agreed that trilateral cooperation with all three countries in North America is essential for improving North American competitiveness by taking advantage of the proximity and depth of integration of our markets as well as the high volume of trade.

Regarding Mexican concerns over NAFTA trucking, Secretary Locke reiterated his support for a permanent and NAFTA-consistent solution to this issue, stating “the Administration is committed to finding a timely resolution through legislation for a new program that addresses legitimate congressional concerns and satisfies our NAFTA obligations.”