The tenth summit of North American leaders between the leaders of the United States, Canada and Mexico kicked off in the Mexican capital under the slogan of the "Three Friends" summit, amid disagreements and mutual criticism between Washington and Mexico City.
The summit of the leaders of the three countries will discuss expanding security cooperation and economic integration, the immigration file, and combating the drug trade.
US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a bilateral meeting before the summit, during which they discussed immigration, national security, the transition to clean energy, and continued support for Ukraine.
Mexican criticism
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador accused his US counterpart, Joe Biden, of contempt for Latin America, and demanded that he not abandon the region, during a bilateral meeting between the two countries' leaders, during which they discussed immigration, climate and security files.
Mexico hopes to benefit from Washington's efforts to reduce dependence on Asian industries.
Biden defended Washington's performance by saying it had "spent tens of billions of dollars" in the last 15 years for the benefit of the region.
He emphasized that the United States provided foreign aid that exceeded that of all other countries combined.
In turn, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters that strengthening regional economic ties allows the United States to be a major industrial center that President Biden spoke about, and also benefits Mexico and Canada.
Last year, the United States invited Mexico to join a multibillion-dollar initiative to boost the semiconductor industry to rival China in this field.
However, relations between the Mexican and American presidents were not always smooth.
The United States and Canada filed a complaint against Mexico as part of the trilateral trade agreement.
Washington and Ottawa report that Lopez Obrador's quest to strengthen the state's role in energy industries hurts foreign investors and impedes the development of clean energy sources.
And while Biden and Trudeau may raise their concerns with the Mexican president about energy sector reforms in a private way, they are likely to publicly stress the ability to enhance cooperation.
Proactive visit
Two days before the summit, the US President visited the city of "El Paso" on the border with Mexico, in a visit that is the first of its kind since he took office.
Biden met local leaders during his visit to the border, describing the El Paso community as "representing the generosity of the American nation."
He pointed to the need to expand legal pathways for organized migration, and reduce irregular migration at the same time.
Biden announced the expansion of powers to repel people reaching the border to enter the United States without obtaining permission.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration decided to issue an additional 30,000 residence permits per month to immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela, the countries currently recording the largest influx of illegal immigrants.
Another of Biden's priorities is tackling what he called the "scourge of fentanyl," a reference to the powerful opioid that claims many victims and is smuggled across the border by Mexican cartels.
In 2021, the United States and Mexico announced an adjustment in their approaches to combating drug trafficking, addressing the roots of the migration problem, encouraging economic development, and strengthening the fight against cross-border arms smuggling.