Mayor of Dallas first visit to Mexico

March 29, 2022

Institutional Context

The Texas–Mexico relationship was unofficially initiated in 1836 at the signing of the Treaties of Velasco, which de facto declared Texas independent from Mexico. Today, the Texas-Mexico relationship is essential to the economic well-being of communities on both sides of the border, including the broader Texan economy and the aggregate U.S. economy. Of the 49 commercial roadway crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border, 28 are located in Texas. Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs values the total trade of the Texas-Mexico relationship at 231.1 billion USD , which is more than the U.S. total trade with the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Spain combined. Texas-Mexico trade is projected to grow 234% to reach 1.5 trillion USD by 2050. That estimated growth would likely bring more employment opportunities to the Lone Star State, where trade with Mexico already supports over 466,000 jobs1.*

Mayor of Dallas first visit to Mexico**

Foreign Secretary, Marcelo Ebrard, and Chief Officer for North America, Roberto Velasco, received the Mayor of Dallas, Eric Johnson, on his first international tour, on March 29th. At the meeting they highlighted the economic and cultural ties that bind this North Texas city with Mexico. The officials followed up on their previous meeting in the city of Dallas to discuss comprehensive issues. Velasco and Johnson highlighted the presence of Mexican investment in the region and explored ways to strengthen it through cooperation mechanisms such as the High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED). Both reinforced their commitment to driving the development of new supply chains in North America in the semiconductor and information technology sectors. They also delved into the exploration of options to strengthen cultural and educational cooperation at the bilateral level, as well as future collaboration projects in the medical sector.

*https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/infographic-texas-vehicle-inspection-policy

**https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/infographic-texas-vehicle-inspection-policy