U.S. and Mexico discuss economy, migration, and cartels at 'Three Amigos' summit

U.S. President Joe Biden and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador discussed economic ties, undocumented immigration, and drug cartels during a meeting in Mexico City on Monday, the White House said in a statement. 

“Their meeting builds upon 200 years of bilateral relations between the United States and Mexico, an enduring partnership that reflects our shared values and the cultural and familial bonds between our two countries,” the statement reads. 

Biden and Lopez Obrador reaffirmed their “shared vision for greater economic integration,” including incentives to promote investment in semiconductor manufacturing. 

“There are unmatched conditions to start a new policy of economic and social integration in our continent," Lopez Obrador said at the meeting. 

During the meeting, the two leaders reiterated their commitment to intercept and prosecute drug traffickers, dismantle criminal networks, and curb the supply and production of fentanyl and other drugs. Additionally, they reviewed efforts to prevent the trafficking of drugs, arms, and people across the U.S.-Mexico border. 

Regarding immigration, Biden discussed the recent policies adopted to address irregular immigration, which includes providing more asylum options to Cubans, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, and Haitians. 

Mexico, on its part, urged the U.S. to commit to funding Central American and southern Mexico to boost development and halt the migration that is stemming from one of the poorest areas in the region. 

"This is the moment for us to determine to do away with this abandonment, this disdain," Lopez Obrador said. "And this forgetfulness for Latin America and the Caribbean, which is opposed to the policy of the good neighborhood, of the titans of freedom and liberty … starting with you, because there would be no other leader that could implement this enterprise."

Canadian Prime Minister joined Lopez Obrador and Biden at the “Three Amigos” summit, which is taking place from Monday to Wednesday. The leaders from the three countries are expected to talk about security and economic cooperation for the first time the three presidents meet since late 2021.