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Bush, George W.

Bush and Fox Meet at Crawford Ranch to Strengthen US-Mexico Relations

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

President George W. Bush and his Mexican counterpart, President Vicente Fox, are set to meet at the Crawford, Texas ranch this weekend for a working visit. The meeting comes at a crucial time, with a range of pressing issues dominating the US-Mexico agenda, including the controversial proposal to grant temporary worker status to undocumented immigrants. The trip marks a significant gesture of goodwill between the two nations, one that reflects the importance both governments place on accelerating various bilateral themes. The meeting also serves as a means for the presidents to profile what could be on the agenda, with key issues such as migration, trade, and border security set to be discussed.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US-Mexico relations are critical for President Bush, who needs Mexico's endorsement to boost his popularity with Hispanic voters in this election year.
  • Mexico's President Vicente Fox faces domestic pressure to demonstrate the effectiveness of his leadership, with a migration accord seen as a means to reverse his "lame duck" status.
  • A comprehensive deal on migration is a vital issue, with at least 4m undocumented Mexican labourers in the US awaiting resolution.
  • The US proposal to grant temporary worker status to undocumented immigrants allows them to work legally in the US for three years, with the option to leave and re-enter the country during that time.
  • A broad swathe of politicians in Mexico believes the temporary worker status represents a step forward from the current non-recognition.
  • The US-Mexico border is a critical point of contention, with over $620m (Euros 510m) of trade and 1m people passing through annually.
  • Colin Powell, US secretary of state, and Ernesto Derbez, Mexico's foreign minister, are also visiting Crawford this weekend to discuss a range of bilateral issues.
  • Other pressing issues, such as horticulture, poultry production, and other agricultural disputes, remain unresolved in the US-Mexico agenda.

Statistics:

  • At least 4m undocumented Mexican labourers in the US are awaiting a resolution to the migration issue.
  • $620m (Euros 510m) of trade passes through the common 3,000-mile US-Mexico border annually.
  • 1m people travel across the US-Mexico border annually.
  • 2001 saw Mr. Fox publicly call for a comprehensive deal on migration by the end of the year.
  • 2004 marked President Fox's damaging defeats in Congress.
  • 2/3 of US Hispanics are Mexican or of Mexican descent.

Sources:

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