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Center Forward Convenes Second Annual Mexico City Policy Mission to discuss North American priorities

The American and Mexican economies, societies, and cultures are tightly intertwined. The price of our food, automobiles, clothing, and more depends on how goods and services move across the southern border. To keep the United States and Mexico prosperous and safe, parties on both sides of the border have to work together to strengthen security, migration, economics, and trade. 

Center Forward led a bipartisan delegation of senior congressional staff to Mexico City in late February to further promote cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico. As the premier convener of pragmatic leaders in Washington D.C., Center Forward often engages the international community to provide these leaders with a global perspective. 

Both countries experienced a change of presidential administrations in the past six months. One month before President Trump was elected in November 2024, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum was inaugurated and took the reins from the previous leader of her party. Both presidents have different voters to whom they must answer and different priorities they must address. The chiefs of staff who traveled to Mexico on this mission had the opportunity to see first-hand the political climate in which their Mexican counterparts operate. This perspective allows them to come to the negotiating table with pragmatic solutions as the temperature rises in public. 

“Center Forward’s conference provided a rare and valuable opportunity to step outside of Washington and directly collaborate with those on the ground in Mexico,” said Cara Camacho, Chief of Staff to Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT). “Understanding these issues firsthand—from trade to security—gives us the perspective needed to craft more informed policies. Thank you, Center Forward, for your leadership in fostering bipartisan, bilateral connections, and paving the way for a stronger U.S.-Mexico relationship.”

In addition to meetings with representatives of the Mexican government, conference participants visited the U.S. Embassy in Mexico for a discussion focused on the key pillars of security, safety, prosperity, and strength. Industry leaders in retail, automotives, agriculture, and tech shared their priorities and explained how current policy proposals would affect their operations and workforces in the U.S. and across the continent.  

Participants left with a renewed understanding of the history and importance of the ties between the U.S. and Mexico. Hearing from different industries with footprints in both countries is crucial for promoting domestic economic growth, and Center Forward is honored to provide the opportunity. With the USMCA review and potential renegotiation on the horizon for 2026, this perspective will be invaluable for participants in Washington, D.C. and in their home districts.   

“Thank you to Center Forward for bringing together a bipartisan group of congressional staff, providing us with a crucial opportunity to engage directly with leaders shaping the U.S.-Mexico relationship,” said Jeff Bishop, Chief of Staff to Rep. Jefferson Shreve (R-IN). “The insights gained in Mexico City will directly inform our work in Congress to promote effective solutions.”

Later in 2025, Center Forward will continue its work focused on North American issues and lead a Policy Mission to Vancouver, Canada with corresponding goals and objectives. 

With a strong history of bipartisan engagement, Center Forward has led successful Policy Missions of Members of Congress, senior congressional staff, and business and policy experts to Mexico and Canada to discuss key issues including trade, immigration, and security. Center Forward will lead a Policy Mission to Vancouver, Canada with corresponding goals and objectives in the future.