Mexico pushes for direct ties with Canada, apart from U.S. influence

Mexico pushes for direct ties with Canada, apart from U.S. influence
CAMPBELL CLARK
OTTAWA — The Globe and Mail
Published Monday, Jun. 17 2013, 3:00 AM EDT
Last updated Monday, Jun. 17 2013, 3:27 AM EDT

“I think I have arrived at a very opportune time. The political stars are aligned,” Mr. Suarez said in an interview with The Globe and Mail. “That’s the indication I have received from President Pena, to go beyond the rhetoric to really establish that Canada is a priority for Mexico’s foreign policy. It’s a real priority: Canada, itself, apart from the North American [regional dynamic].”

It is a simple but important signal in Canada-Mexico relations: that the two countries should see each other as important for more than just what that means in dealing with the United States. They have been trade partners in the North American Free Trade Agreement since 1993, and from time to time expressed a desire for stronger ties. But the interest has blown hot and cold. Both countries’ perspectives on North America are, of course, dominated by relations with the U.S.

“It’s a fact of life that we have this big elephant in between. It’s there. But we don’t at all like the idea of an off and on approach,” Mr. Suarez said. “Sort of, you know, oh now Mexico is important, but until that time, no, it’s more important for us just to have a relationship with the United States.”

The “political stars” that Mr. Suarez refers to is that changes in both capitals are coming at the same time as Ottawa tries to re-focus Canadian foreign policy around major emerging markets, and Mr. Pena is signalling new interest in Canada.

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