Ottawa, 6 April 2022 (TDI): Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, spoke with Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the President of Mexico. The leaders talked about the war in Ukraine.
They expressed concerns over the humanitarian situation in the country. Likewise, they discussed the growing number of internally displaced persons and refugees fleeing from Ukraine.
Furthermore, they also discussed the global challenges that have emerged as a result of the war. Specifically, those related to energy and food security.
The Prime Minister invited the President to participate in the “Stand Up for Ukraine” campaign pledging event on April 9. The event will be co-convened by Justin Trudeau and the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen.
The campaign aims to raise funds for Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced people. In addition, the Prime Minister and the President discussed the importance of ongoing work at the United Nations.
Mexico plays an important role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Moreover, both leaders discussed the issues on the bilateral agenda.
The Prime Minister and the President discussed the progress made bilaterally further in discussions at the November 2021 North American Leaders’ Summit.
The leaders also deliberated on the mutually important bilateral economic relationship between their two countries, anchored in the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement.
They discussed the significant role of the contributions of Canadian investors to the Mexican economy, especially, in the energy sector. Also, they agreed to continue working together to counter climate change.
Canada-Mexico Relations
Formal diplomatic relations between Canada and Mexico were established in January 1944. The trade and investment between both nations have witnessed growth since the ratification of the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994.
The relationship continues with the most recent Canada-US-Mexico Free Trade Agreement (CUSMA). According to the Canadian Foreign Ministry, Mexico is Canada’s third-largest single-country merchandise trading partner (after US and China).
Canada was Mexico’s seventh-largest merchandise trading partner in 2020. Canadian Direct Investment in Mexico was $28.8B in 2020, which is Canada’s ninth-largest direct investment destination. Other than economic ties, relations in the spheres of culture, politics, and education are also strong.
