FACT SHEET: U.S. – Mexico High-Level Economic Dialogue

The HLED Vision

United States President Joseph R. Biden and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador agreed to relaunch the U.S.-Mexico High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED) in recognition of our broad strategic economic relationship.  Established in 2013, the HLED advances strategic economic and commercial priorities for both countries, with the shared goal of fostering economic development and growth, job creation, global competitiveness, and reduction of poverty and inequality.  The Biden-Harris Administration recognizes the importance of the dynamic, deep, and integrated commercial relationship with Mexico, currently our largest trading partner in goods, including as a top market for U.S. agricultural exports. As our countries face new challenges, the HLED will allow us to rebuild and grow as dynamic partners.

The relaunched HLED features four central pillars:

1. Building Back Together
2. Promoting Sustainable Economic and Social Development in Southern Mexico and Central America
3. Securing the Tools for Future Prosperity
4. Investing in Our People

Together, we will build back from the impact of the global pandemic, promote inclusive trade and investment, prepare our workforces for the future, and strengthen regional supply chains. As an ongoing forum to address priority issues, the HLED’s agenda will be enhanced by regular input and engagement with key stakeholders from civil society and business.

The HLED Work Plan

Pillar I: Building Back Together
The United States and Mexico will build back together in an environment informed by the pandemic by improving the regional business environment and strengthening the resilience of U.S.-Mexico supply chains. Work under this pillar will include how to best facilitate economic recovery and strengthen infrastructure, trade facilitation, and innovation.

• Strengthening Existing and New Supply Chains
  • Coordinate on critical industries to mitigate supply chain disruptions.
  • Explore opportunities to complement supply chain needs in both countries, assessing prospects to increase competitiveness, attract investment, and reduce vulnerabilities in critical sectors.
  • Promote environmental technologies through exchanges of information and trade missions.
• Trade Facilitation and Infrastructure
  • Build on the principles of co-responsibility and co-management of our shared border via the 21st Century Border Management Initiative.
  • Promote U.S.-Mexico economic competitiveness through innovation and by improving land border-crossing and marine port infrastructure, and better understanding and expediting cross-border trade flows.
  • Improve access to medical devices and supplies for public health emergencies.

Pillar II: Promoting Sustainable Economic and Social Development in Southern Mexico and Central America
The United States and Mexico will identify complementary and cooperative opportunities to improve livelihoods through the creation of jobs and opportunities in the short, medium, and long term in El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and southern Mexico, increasing its trade potential and spurring investment.

• Increased technical cooperation between U.S. and Mexican international development agencies, promotion of value chains, clean energy, and rural development.
• Promote increased trade potential and spur investment in the region by mutually identifying projects of interest drawing on relevant research and analysis, including any present or future research or missions conducted by the two governments. 

Pillar III: Securing the Tools for Future Prosperity
The United States and Mexico will support regulatory compatibility and risk mitigation on issues related to information and communication technologies, networks, cybersecurity, telecom and infrastructure, among others. 

• Mitigating Threats and Enhancing Data Flows
  • Develop opportunities to strengthen cybersecurity protections in global supply chains. Facilitate collaboration and cooperation in tackling cybersecurity challenges through international industry practices and standards.
  • Enhance cross-border data flows and interoperability between the United States and Mexico.

Pillar IV: Investing in Our People
The United States and Mexico will foster cooperation towards a more inclusive workforce that is better educated, more competitive, and better trained with the necessary skills to meet the needs of the 21^st Century economy.

• Inclusiveness and Training
• Coordinate joint efforts to promote an innovation ethos.
• Promote initiatives to invest in entrepreneurs and small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
• Collaborate to enhance access to economic opportunity for women, youth, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ community.
• Consider options for joint technical training and educational programs across priority sectors.

The HLED will strengthen our partnership to better ensure that the United States and Mexico meet the challenges of our time and ensure that our peoples can thrive.  Mexico and the United States will regularly consult with civil society, private sector, academia, and other non-governmental organizations to contribute to the HLED, fostering an open dialogue that values inclusion and diverse viewpoints while ensuring transparency in decision-making.

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