Pragmatism

In spite of the risk, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s [U.S.] visit was necessary. The expected disaster did not happen. The good relationship between the countries must be reassuring to everyone, even if the meeting occurred during the presidential campaign in the United States. Due to concerns about a president actively campaigning, in Mexico, presidential terms do not end in same year as election of federal deputies and multiple local elections coming in 2021.

The good relationship is encouraging because the problems facing the national economy are monumental. It is an important message for our country that the beginning of the new trade agreement is accompanied by a meeting between the presidents. Convening entrepreneurs from both countries to focus the theme on the economy of both nations and on the new commercial framework was a good idea.

The presidents’ pragmatism is educational. It is not characteristic of them and the correction is still a positive message. It means that they use reasoning and not the impulse of emotion to understand and process reality. Many of those opposed to the Mexican president’s visit cited, understandably, the uncontrollable anti-immigrant rhetoric of President Donald Trump. That didn’t happen. The Mexican president maintained a measured posture, and he was that way because he favored the future, not the past.

Pragmatism over ideology should serve for much more. Clearly, if we want to improve our economic prospects, the interlocutor for this is not the Democratic candidate or the president, nor Congress itself, but the investors and entrepreneurs who see opportunity in Mexico. There is opportunity to be had because our neighbor needs to find an alternative to China for a reliable trade balance.

That requires reestablishing trust. The rule of law is fundamental. The [U.S.] government has made decisions that [run counter to the concept of a transparent, consistent judicial system]. It must change directions and resume a position of strict adherence to the law. The conditions of the country require it. The President needs to understand this. That would be the best outcome from the visit.