President Biden Discusses Migration and Fentanyl with Mexican President López Obrador During APEC Summit

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
17/11/2023 21h53

President Joe Biden held a meeting with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on the sidelines of the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco. The leaders engaged in discussions surrounding key issues such as migration and the trafficking of fentanyl across their borders.

Both the United States and Mexico have been grappling with a significant influx of migrants crossing their borders, making migration a crucial topic of conversation. As part of their efforts to address this challenge, both leaders deliberated on potential solutions and strategies to manage this overwhelming situation.

Furthermore, the issue of fentanyl was also high on the agenda during the meeting between President Biden and President López Obrador. Fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid, has posed a grave concern in both countries. China plays a significant role in manufacturing fentanyl, which is then trafficked into Mexico and subsequently across the southern border into the United States.

During President Biden's recent meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, he announced that China would instruct companies to restrict shipments of pill presses and precursor chemicals used in fentanyl production. This move aims to curb the flow of fentanyl into Mexico. China has also resumed sharing information with an international database to combat suspected fentanyl trafficking.

The relationship between President Biden and President López Obrador has not been without its challenges. Last year, President López Obrador skipped the U.S.-hosted Summit of the Americas after certain countries were left out of the invite list. Initially, there were concerns about his attendance at this year's APEC conference as well due to Mexico's limited relations with the next host country, Peru. Both leaders are also facing upcoming elections in their respective countries next year.

During the APEC summit, President López Obrador had the opportunity to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping as well. Both leaders expressed their commitment to combating drug trafficking between Mexico and China, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing this issue.

The much-anticipated meeting between President Biden and President Xi resulted in significant announcements. The resumption of military communications between the United States and China was announced, demonstrating a step towards improved bilateral relations. Additionally, President Xi announced China's intention to send pandas to California as a gesture of goodwill. This comes after pandas previously residing in Washington, D.C., were returned to China earlier this month.

In addition to his meeting with President Xi, President Biden also had discussions with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the APEC summit. These engagements highlight the importance of regional collaboration and dialogue in tackling shared challenges and fostering strong international relationships.

As the APEC summit concludes, the discussions held between President Biden and his counterparts have paved the way for potential solutions regarding migration management and the fight against fentanyl trafficking. These engagements reflect the commitment of world leaders to working together to address pressing global issues and strengthen international cooperation.

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The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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