In a bilateral meeting held at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Summit in San Francisco, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador reiterated Mexico's dedication to the fight against illicit fentanyl. The meeting with United States President Joe Biden centered around joint efforts to address the opioid crisis and enhance law enforcement cooperation.

President López Obrador emphasized Mexico's commitment to support the United States in preventing the entry of precursor chemicals and fentanyl into the country. He acknowledged the devastating impact of fentanyl on American youth and expressed solidarity with the United States in combating drug trafficking.

During the APEC summit, fentanyl emerged as a significant topic of discussion due to the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, as China is a major producer and exporter of the precursor chemicals used to manufacture the dangerous synthetic opioid. President López Obrador had met with President Xi Jinping a day prior to the meeting with President Biden, focusing on the need for information exchange and cooperation regarding shipments of fentanyl and precursor chemicals leaving China.

President Biden, in turn, commended the collaboration between Mexico and the United States in addressing security concerns, including arms trafficking, organized crime, and the opioid epidemic. He shared details of his conversation with President Xi Jinping on the issue, highlighting their commitment to finding solutions.

The White House released a statement affirming the discussions between the two leaders, emphasizing their shared dedication to expanding law enforcement cooperation and dismantling transnational criminal organizations involved in drug, people, and arms trafficking.

The fight against fentanyl has been a focal point for Mexican and U.S. officials, with regular meetings held to address the issue. Mexican cartels manufacture fentanyl using precursor chemicals sourced from Asia, particularly China. These discussions were prominently featured at the Mexico-U.S. High Level Security Dialogue held in Mexico City last month.

Migration was another key topic of discussion during the bilateral meeting. President López Obrador acknowledged the progress made in the cooperation between Mexico and the United States on the issue. The leaders affirmed their commitment to addressing the root causes of migration and expanding lawful pathways for migration, aligning with the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection.

President Biden also highlighted the robust economic cooperation between Mexico and the United States, emphasizing their position as each other's largest trade partners. The leaders expressed their commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth and strengthening supply chains through initiatives like the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity.

While the Mexico-U.S. relationship was described as excellent, there remain unresolved disputes, including Mexico's nationalistic energy policies and its stance on genetically modified corn. It is unclear whether these matters were discussed during the bilateral meeting.

President López Obrador's participation in the APEC summit also included meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Discussions with Prime Minister Trudeau focused on migration and investment opportunities in Mexico.

The meeting between President López Obrador and President Biden underscored the continued collaboration between Mexico and the United States in addressing the illicit fentanyl trade, strengthening law enforcement cooperation, and working towards shared goals of economic prosperity and migration management in the region.