Here’s a chance to weigh in – and maybe help shape – trade policy.
The Department of Commerce is seeking public comment on the topics to be addressed by the US-Mexico High Level Economic Dialogue (HLED) initiated by Presidents Barack Obama and Enrique Peña Nieto in May of this year.
As the Commerce invitation notes, the US and Mexico are strategic allies, sharing a 2,000-mile border and deeply integrated economies that generated more than US$500 billion in trade last year. Each is a top trading partner of the other (see the charts below).
The HLED work plan developed in September lays out three broad “pillars” that will support growth, job creation and global competitiveness – with topics for comment defined for each:
- Promoting competitiveness and connectivity. Specific areas for cooperative action include telecommunications, transport, logistics corridors and freight planning, customs, and border master plans.
- Fostering economic growth, productivity, entrepreneurship, and innovation. A dozen topics for discussion have been defined, including joint investment promotion, food and agriculture trade, and regulatory cooperation.
- Partnering for regional and global leadership. Talks will center on promoting development in Central America, regional trade priorities, and transparency and anti-corruption.
There’s more detail in the Federal Register notice and at http://www.trade.gov/hled/
Electronic comments are preferred and must be received by January 9, 2014. Send them to mailto:[email protected] (or mail Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230).
