MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Obama promises a “new chapter” in relations with Latam

USA elected Pte. Obama

Barack Obama, who takes over as US President on January 20 promised a “new chapter” in relations with Latinamerica and stronger US-Mexico links, following a meeting on Monday with President Felipe Calderón in Washington. It was Obama's first meeting with a foreign leader since his November election.

Obama advisors have anticipated the incoming administration would nurture close ties with the US southern neighbour and other Latin American countries, which have repeatedly complained of neglect by outgoing US President George W. Bush's foreign policy, focused heavily on Iraq. "My message today is that my administration is going to be ready on Day One to work to build a stronger relationship with Mexico" Obama said after visiting with Calderon over a lunch of Mexican dishes. "The friendship between the United States and Mexico has been strong. I believe it can be even stronger and that's going to be the commitment of my administration," the president-elect told reporters. "This will be the beginning of an extraordinary age in the relationship between the United States and Mexico," Calderon said. With Mexico's drug violence exploding and amid fears that Obama might seek changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement, Calderon had been eager for a meeting with the incoming U.S. president. Obama praised Calderon for his work on energy and climate change, saying the two countries should expand their efforts in those areas, while building on existing commercial, security and cultural ties. Mexico which sends 80% of its exports to the United States is suffering a spill-over from the US economy recession as layoffs at Mexican factories mount and families with relatives in the United States see a decline in remittances. Calderon is concerned about Obama's campaign promise to renegotiate North American Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA, with Mexico and Canada. The deal has greatly expanded Mexican trade with its powerful neighbour since it went into effect in 1994 but is seen by US unions as a cause of job losses in big industrial states like Ohio. Calderon told international business leaders at a summit meeting in November that restricting trade would only drive more Mexicans to move illegally to the United States.