1 - The Mexican State's Interests
A Multilevel Analysis
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 July 2011
Summary
The idea that we can't have a mature relationship with the United States, that they will always take advantage of us, that it cannot be a win–win relationship means that we assume a defeatist position and make no progress. We continue to belittle ourselves despite being one of the most important countries in terms of our size, resources and economy. As long as we continue feeding taboos and focusing on immediate political goals, we won't make any progress on issues such as migration.
– Enrique Berruga, Former Mexican Foreign Ministry Undersecretary for North America (2000–2003), personal interview, Mexico City, April 27, 2010The 2,000-mile shared border between Mexico and the United States has determined the existence of an exceptional bilateral relationship between these nations. The two countries are linked through trade and investment, tourism, migration, common problems such as drug traffic and environmental concerns, as well as cultural, social, and family ties. In 2009, Mexico was the third most important trading partner for the United States after Canada and China, and the United States is Mexico's main market for exports and supplier of imports, with an estimated total turnover trade of $305 billion dollars in 2009.
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- Mexico and its Diaspora in the United StatesPolicies of Emigration since 1848, pp. 27 - 56Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2011