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On May 20, 2025, the Inter-American Dialogue officially launched its Mexico Program, a new initiative aimed at deepening understanding of U.S.-Mexico relations at a critical time of political transition and evolving regional priorities. The event convened policymakers, diplomats, and experts to reflect on the current state of bilateral cooperation and explore key areas for collaboration, including security, migration, and trade.
The event opened with welcoming remarks from Rebecca Bill Chavez, President & CEO of the Dialogue, who highlighted the importance of building a space for thoughtful, sustained discussion on Mexico and the future of the bilateral relationship. Lila Abed, Director of the Mexico Program, acknowledged the significance of creating a dedicated space to address the complexities of the U.S.-Mexico relationship and advance informed dialogue.
Ambassador Esteban Moctezuma opened by briefly acknowledging the recent accident involving the Mexican naval ship Cuauhtémoc in New York and thanked U.S. and local authorities for their support. He used the moment to reflect on the depth of the U.S.-Mexico relationship, not solely grounded in trade, but in shared values and human connection. Ambassador Moctezuma emphasized that while both nations are confronting new challenges, Mexico remains committed to working collaboratively with the United States to navigate this shifting landscape. He noted that current efforts on key issues such as migration and fentanyl trafficking are already yielding results and underscored the importance of the Mexico Program as a space for connection, mutual understanding, and strategic foresight.
The first panel opened with remarks by Diana Alarcón, former advisor to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who described the U.S.-Mexico relationship as a “marriage without divorce.” She emphasized the need to approach disagreements with a commitment to the common good and framed the current moment as historically significant, one in which bilateral trust and openness could help address longstanding and emerging challenges. Alarcón pointed to nearshoring, migration, labor dynamics, and water management as examples of complex, interrelated issues that demand joint attention. She also stressed the importance of private investment for job creation and sustainable development, while noting that migrant labor fills crucial gaps in the U.S. workforce and should be treated with corresponding dignity and policy support.
Max Hamilton, Director of the Office of Mexican Affairs, U.S. Department of State, focused on recent advances in security cooperation and migration management. He pointed to successful binational negotiations over water-sharing agreements as a model for collaboration based on goodwill, transparency, and local impact. On security, he noted the recent designation of certain cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, which has expanded the legal toolkit available to prosecute not only cartel members but also those who provide material support. He described Mexico’s transfer of 29 cartel leaders to the United States as a strong signal of shared resolve, while emphasizing that the fight against transnational organized crime requires dismantling business models, not just arresting individuals, and that this effort hinges on close cooperation with Mexico.
Daniel Watson, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for the Western Hemisphere Office, spoke about the remarkable opportunities in the economic relationship and warned against underestimating the significance of the current moment. He cited President Sheinbaum’s recent approach to trade, specifically her handling of retaliatory tariffs, as an example of pragmatism that has opened space for constructive engagement and a reset in economic dialogue.
During the Q&A session, moderated by Rebecca Bill Chavez, panelists reflected on what lies ahead for the bilateral agenda. Diana Alarcón underscored that Mexico’s economy remains only partially integrated with that of the United States, and pointed to Sheinbaum’s proposed Plan México as a strategy to more deeply embed Mexico in North American economic structures while also rethinking global engagement. She added that this approach envisions transformative, collaborative change rather than zero-sum dynamics.
In response to a question about China’s growing role in the region, Diana Alarcón clarified that Mexico aims to prioritize domestic energy consumption over oil exports, shift investment toward renewable energy, and reduce reliance on imported fuels. Max Hamilton added that digital trade and technology policy would likely become increasingly central to the bilateral agenda in the years ahead.
Audience member Alejandro Martínez raised concerns about labor rights and enforcement under USMCA Chapter 23. Daniel Watson responded by reaffirming the United States’ commitment to labor protections and underscored that labor remains a key issue, and one which the U.S. negotiates exclusively with Mexico. He added that no changes to those commitments are currently anticipated.
The launch of the Mexico Program marks a new chapter in the Dialogue’s ongoing efforts to foster informed debate and policy innovation around one of the most consequential bilateral relationships in the Western Hemisphere. The Program offers a critical space to advance shared goals and navigate complex challenges through dialogue, trust, and collaboration.
This event was by invitation only.
