MEXICO CITY — The new U.S. secretary of State will have his first official visit with Mexico and Canada on Friday, but he will do so virtually. Antony Blinken will meet online with senior leaders from both countries — and trade, migration, energy and the pandemic will be part of the agenda.
Julie Chung is acting assistant secretary in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs from the State Department. She said the pandemic is forcing Blinken to meet online, but the “virtual trip” will begin a new chapter with the United States’ closest neighbors and trade allies.
“Whether it’s combating the COVID-19 pandemic, tracking the global climate crisis, expanding trade and investment opportunities or strengthening cooperation on defense and security, Canada and Mexico are critical partners,” Chung said
The conversations will take place amid some tensions between Mexico and the U.S. over energy, investment policies, vaccine distribution and weapon trafficking.
