Transcript - Remarks: Joe Biden Holds a Bilat with Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico - July 12, 2022 | Factba.se

Joe Biden

00:00:00 - 00:00:23 ()

Mr. President -- my friend, my partner -- it's good to have you back to the White House.

Joe Biden

00:00:23 - 00:00:37 ()

Over the last year and a half, we've devoted our teams to whole-of-government efforts focused on rebuilding the solid framework of the U.S.-Mexico relations.

Joe Biden

00:00:37 - 00:00:57 ()

As I told you from the beginning -- and I mean it -- I see, we see Mexico as an equal partner. Our nations share close ties in family and friendship, and we're united through our values and our history.

Joe Biden

00:00:57 - 00:01:18 ()

And for me and my administration, the U.S.-Mexico relationship is vital to achieving our goals of everything from the fight against COVID-19, to continuing to grow our economies, to strengthening our partnerships and addressing migration as a shared hemispheric challenge.

Joe Biden

00:01:18 - 00:01:48 ()

And addressing migration is a hemispheric challenge, a commitment captured in the Los Angeles Declaration adopted by the Summit of the Americas.

Joe Biden

00:01:48 - 00:02:41 ()

And, Mr. President, this is a relationship that directly impacts the daily lives -- the daily lives of our people. And despite the overhyped headlines that we sometimes see, you and I have a strong and productive relationship and, I would argue, a partnership.

Joe Biden

00:02:41 - 00:03:34 ()

Today we're going to be discussing our shared challenges we face and commitments on some of the major issues that we're taking on together. One of those is migration. At historic levels throughout our hemisphere, like us, Mexico has become a top destination of migrants. And here's what we're going to do to address it together:

Joe Biden

00:03:34 - 00:04:05 ()

My administration is leading the way to creating work opportunities through legal pathways. And last year, my administration set a record. We issued more than 300,000 H-2 visas for Mexican workers.

Joe Biden

00:04:05 - 00:04:24 ()

We also reached a five-year high in the visas we issued to Central Americans, and we're on pace to double this in fiscal year for -- this fiscal year for Central America.

Joe Biden

00:04:24 - 00:05:00 ()

I want to thank you, Mr. President, for also stepping up and increasing worker visas in Mexico for Central Americans. This is a proven strategy that fuels economic growth as well as reduces irregular migration.

Joe Biden

00:05:00 - 00:05:36 ()

And it doesn't get much attention, but we're also making historic investments in infrastructure modernization across our 2,000-mile border with Mexico.

Joe Biden

00:05:36 - 00:06:13 ()

My Bipartisan Infrastructure Law here in America is delivering $3.4 billion to major construction projects at the ports of entry between our two countries to make our border safer and more efficient for people, trade, and commerce.

Joe Biden

00:06:13 - 00:06:49 ()

And the American people should know, Mr. President, that you're also making a significant investment on your side of the border to improve infrastructure to meet the needs of our times and the future.

Joe Biden

00:06:49 - 00:07:11 ()

And a very important point -- another critical example is we are accelerating our efforts to disrupt the trafficking of fentanyl and other drugs that are literally killing. Fentanyl kills people.

Joe Biden

00:07:11 - 00:07:47 ()

We've had a major anti-smuggling operation underway since April, targeting human smugglers who traffic in people, drugs, and weapons.

Joe Biden

00:07:47 - 00:08:10 ()

Towards this effort, we've deployed 1,300 additional personnel, conducted 20,000 disruption operations, and we've made over 3,000 arrests, all since April.

Joe Biden

00:08:10 - 00:08:26 ()

And we have been conducting [inaudible] disruption operations along our shared border with our Mexican partners.

Joe Biden

00:08:26 - 00:08:51 ()

As you know, Mr. President, we need every country in the region to join us in tracking this multibillion-dollar smuggling industry that's preying on our most vulnerable, including the 53 souls who died in a tractor trailer in San Antonio last month.

Joe Biden

00:08:51 - 00:09:55 ()

President Obrador and I will also be talking about enhanced enforcement measures, including [DEL: reparation :DEL] [repatriation] efforts. And today we'll agree on our next steps together on all these fronts, because we know we have to meet these challenges together.

Joe Biden

00:09:55 - 00:10:13 ()

Mr. President, again, welcome. And I look forward to our discussions after this introductory meeting.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:10:13 - 00:10:24 ()

[Via interpreter] We're so happy, President Biden, to be here at the White House once more.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:10:24 - 00:10:36 ()

And I send my greetings to the good, hardworking, the fine, and very progressive people of the United States. My greetings.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:10:36 - 00:10:52 ()

This is the second meeting in just eight months -- the second meeting we are holding with you, Mr. President, here at the White House.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:10:52 - 00:11:28 ()

Yes, but as you have already expressed, President Biden, this existing circumstances are demanding so many more things from us -- for instance, having a closer relationship, closer ties of friendship and cooperation so that we can act together vis- ? -vis the major challenges our two countries face.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:11:28 - 00:11:38 ()

And these are truly difficult times. No question about it.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:11:38 - 00:12:10 ()

First of all, we have the pandemic -- the COVID-19 pandemic with the sequence of death, suffering, hardships, and damage -- damage on the productive activities of our countries.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:12:10 - 00:12:42 ()

And now we have the war in the Ukraine. And as we know, it has not only constituted grief and destruction, but it made the economic crisis even worse. Yes, and this has resulted in inflationary spiral that the entire world is suffering.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:12:42 - 00:13:20 ()

Therefore, President Biden, I have come to see you to express, on behalf of the Mexican people, our disposal, our willingness to work together for the wellbeing of our nations.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:13:20 - 00:13:37 ()

This will not be the first nor the last occasion on which we close ranks to help each other, we know.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:13:37 - 00:14:15 ()

In spite of our differences and also in spite of our grievances that are not really easy to forget with time or with good wishes -- they're not easy to forget. However, on many occasions, we've been able to coincide and we've been able to work together as good friends and true allies.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:14:15 - 00:14:38 ()

During President Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration, we were able to see a policy that we believe it was a very efficient and very fraternal policy.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:14:38 - 00:14:56 ()

Those were other times. However, we had circumstances that were quite similar to our existing circumstances. And from those policies, we should be extracting good lessons, because history is the master of life.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:14:56 - 00:15:29 ()

When President Roosevelt took office March 4th, 1933, the United States was going through one of the most profound social and economic crisis of its history.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:15:29 - 00:16:09 ()

That's why with great definition, determination, and aplomb, since the first 100 days of its administration, he launched a whirlpool of initiatives that changed the country and gave new hopes to its inhabitants.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:16:09 - 00:16:34 ()

And throughout his administration, he also applied, he enforced a policy -- a Good Neighbors policy. And this is something that was enforced and applied throughout the American continent.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:16:34 - 00:16:46 ()

Authenticity of this policy had, as its best example, respect for the sovereignty of Mexico.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:16:46 - 00:16:58 ()

At that time, President Lázaro Cárdenas's administration was also launching very deep, very important reforms.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:16:58 - 00:17:36 ()

So then, in 1938, that's when the oil expropriation took place in Mexico. However, differences were addressed and solved through a dialogue and collaboration with dignity.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:17:36 - 00:18:22 ()

This policy of respect for the sovereignty of our country, of the nations in general, gave us very good fruit. Yes, for instance, it created conditions which were very favorable conditions for the governments of the United States and Mexico to act as partners, as allies throughout the Second World War.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:18:22 - 00:18:46 ()

And this alliance went beyond -- over and beyond mere cooperation in this bellicist effort.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:18:46 - 00:19:36 ()

When the United States went into the Second World War, thousands of Americans were recruited by the armed forces, and this meant that the agricultural field was left with no labor force. Farmers urgently needed labor force, as it also happens now in restaurants, factories, construction works, and out in the countryside as well.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:19:36 - 00:20:43 ()

At that time, under those circumstances in 1943, President Roosevelt recognized reality, and he decided to support the Bracero Program, through which thousands of Mexican agricultural laborers came into the United States legally to help in the production of foodstuffs, even during the construction of the railroad system in the United States.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:20:43 - 00:21:05 ()

1943 through 1946, 130,000 Mexican workers, farm workers were hired through this agreement signed by both governments.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:21:05 - 00:21:46 ()

Certainly, the program was not exempt from mistakes, abuses, and non-compliance. However, there is no doubt that it had very good results at the productive and labor levels.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:21:46 - 00:22:11 ()

It was a more secure framework with less human rights violations, especially with -- compare that to current migration provisions.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:22:11 - 00:22:17 ()

Today, we're proposing something similar to this program.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:22:17 - 00:22:49 ()

It is true that the USMCA is a treaty that's already uniting and integrating our three countries. Our three countries -- Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:22:49 - 00:23:12 ()

However, there are still margins for us to intensify our bilateral relationship. For instance, high inflationary rates have to do with misadjustments of the world economy because of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:23:12 - 00:24:39 ()

However, we should also recognize that for some time now, we haven't been producing what we should be producing. In the last three decades, it was very comfortably accepted for China to become the factory of the world. And this was due to the fallacious idea that, with globality -- with globality, it wasn't necessary to continue our self-sufficiency in the production of foodstuffs, because we were able to produce energy and other goods. We didn't have to do it; it wasn't necessary because we could always import them as we needed them. So, self-sufficiency was not necessary.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:24:39 - 00:24:54 ()

However, the reality we live in now makes it necessary and indispensable for us to produce everything we consume in our countries and regions.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:24:54 - 00:25:19 ()

Without reaching an extremist position of closing our economies, we should remember that the development of our nations depends fundamentally on their productive capacity.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:25:19 - 00:25:26 ()

President Biden, I'm about to finish. [Laughter]

Joe Biden

00:25:26 - 00:25:53 ()

Let me say one thing. I can't get over how that lovely lady is holding that camera steady all this time. [Inaudible] [Laughter] It's amazing.

Joe Biden

00:25:53 - 00:25:55 ()

Sorry for the distraction.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:25:55 - 00:26:12 ()

[Via Interpreter] Yes, I fully coincide with what you have proposed, President Biden. And I could summarize everything we've been saying in five basic items of cooperation.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:26:12 - 00:26:45 ()

Number one, since the energy crisis started, Mexico has used 72 percent of its crude and fuel oil exports to United States refineries -- 800,000 barrels a day.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:26:45 - 00:27:16 ()

Therefore, we decided that while we're waiting for prices of gasoline to go down in the United States -- and I hope that Congress approves or passes your proposal, Mr. President --

Joe Biden

00:27:16 - 00:27:26 ()

It has gone down for 30 days in a row. [Laughs]

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:27:26 - 00:27:38 ()

[Via Interpreter] -- of lowering -- lowering prices, yes. That's it.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:27:38 - 00:28:15 ()

In the meantime, while we're waiting for prices to go down, we have decided that it was necessary for us to allow Americans who live close to the borderline so that they could go and get their gasoline on the Mexican side at lower prices.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:28:15 - 00:28:34 ()

And right now, a lot of the drivers -- a lot of the Americans -- are going to Mexico, to the Mexican border, to get their gasoline.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:28:34 - 00:28:58 ()

However, we could increase our inventories immediately. We are committed to guaranteeing twice as much supply of fuel. That would be considerable support.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:28:58 - 00:29:22 ()

Right now, a gallon of regular costs $4.78 average on this side of the border. And in our territory, $3.12.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:29:22 - 00:29:42 ()

Let me clarify something, and I also want to take advantage of this opportunity to thank you, Mr. President. Most of this gasoline, we are producing it in the Pemex refinery that you allowed us to buy in Deer Park, Texas.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:29:42 - 00:30:34 ()

Two, we are putting at the disposal -- or sending at the disposal of your administration over 1,000 kilometers of gas pipelines throughout the southern border with Mexico to transport gas from Texas to New Mexico, Arizona, and California for a volume that can generate up to 750 megawatts of electric energy and supply about 3 million people.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:30:34 - 00:31:15 ()

Three, even though the USMCA has made progress for the elimination of tariffs, there are still some others that could be immediately suspended. And we could do the same with some regulations, regulatory measures, and tedious procedures or red tape in terms of trade related to foodstuffs and other products so that we can lower prices for consumers in both our countries, always being very careful in the protection of health and the environment.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:31:15 - 00:31:40 ()

Four, starting a private-public investment plan between our two countries to produce all those goods that will be strengthening our markets so that we can avoid having importations from other regions or continents.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:31:40 - 00:32:17 ()

In our country, we shall continue producing oil throughout the energy transition. With the U.S. investors, we are going to be establishing gas-liquefying plants, fertilizer plants, and we shall continue promoting the creation of solar energy parks in the state of Sonora and other border states as well.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:32:17 - 00:32:50 ()

And we're going to accomplish this with the support of thermal electric plants and also through transmission lines to produce energy in the domestic market, as well as for exports, to neighboring states in the American union, as for instance, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:32:50 - 00:33:19 ()

It's also important to mention that, two months ago, we took the sovereign decision of nationalizing lithium in Mexico. This is a fundamental mineral, a fundamental input to advance in our purpose not to depend on fossil fuels. And this will be available for the technological modernization of the automotive industry among our great countries -- the countries of the USMCA.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:33:19 - 00:33:56 ()

Five, orderly migration flow and allowing arrival in the United States of workers, technicians, and professionals of different disciplines. I'm talking about Mexicans and Central Americans with temporary work visas to ensure not paralyzing the economy because of the lack of labor force.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:33:56 - 00:34:17 ()

The purpose of this plan would be to support and to have the right labor force that will be demanded by the plan you proposed and that was passed by Congress of using $1 trillion for the construction of infrastructure works.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:34:17 - 00:34:48 ()

And it's also indispensable that I say this in a very sincere fashion in the most respectful manner: It is indispensable for us to regularize and give certainty to migrants that have for years lived and worked in a very honest manner, and who are also contributing to the development of this great nation.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:34:48 - 00:35:33 ()

I know that your adversaries -- the conservatives -- are going to be screaming all over the place, even to Heaven. They're going to be yelling at Heaven. But without a daring, a bold program of development and wellbeing, it will not be possible to solve problems. It will not be possible to get the people's support.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:35:33 - 00:35:51 ()

In the face of this crisis, the way out is not through conservatism. The way out is through transformation. We have to be bold in our actions. Transform not maintain the status quo.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:35:51 - 00:36:13 ()

On our part, we're acting in good faith, with all transparency, because there shouldn't be selfishness between countries, peoples that are neighbors and friends. On the other hand, integration does not signify hegemony or subjugation.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:36:13 - 00:36:40 ()

And, President Biden, we trust you because you respect our sovereignty. We are willing to continue working with you for the benefit of our peoples. Count with our support -- count on our support and solidarity always.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:36:40 - 00:37:01 ()

Long live the United States. Viva México lindo y querido. Long live Mexico -- dear Mexico, loved and beautiful Mexico. Viva México.

Joe Biden

00:37:01 - 00:38:03 ()

Well, Mr. President, you've had a lot of important things to say, and we have much agreement. And some of the details, we'll have a chance to talk about where the disagreement is. But the thrust of what you're saying we agree with: We need to work closely together.

Joe Biden

00:38:03 - 00:38:27 ()

I might note, of all the major economies in the world, we're the fastest growing. We, the United States, already the fastest growing in the world.

Joe Biden

00:38:27 - 00:39:05 ()

Just since I became President, we have created more jobs than any president ever has in the beginning of his administration -- almost 8.5 million new jobs.

Joe Biden

00:39:05 - 00:39:41 ()

Wages have risen five and a half percent. We are suffering from inflation imposed as a consequence of what's going on in Ukraine, but we have the lowest rate of almost every major nation in the world.

Joe Biden

00:39:41 - 00:40:40 ()

Even last month, we created another three hundred and -- I think -- fifty-seven thousand new jobs. And it doesn't mean we don't have problems; we do. And we do believe -- I do believe that, working with you, we can help solve both our problems.

Joe Biden

00:40:40 - 00:41:53 ()

And China is not only not going to be the factory of the world. You're in the factory of the world -- the United States. We produce more agricultural product than anything close to what they do.

Joe Biden

00:41:53 - 00:42:15 ()

I'm not suggesting there are not problems. There are real problems, but they are solvable, as you pointed out.

Joe Biden

00:42:15 - 00:42:46 ()

And I'm anxious for us to get into some detail about the explicit five points you raised and how we can make sure we work together on all five of those points.

Joe Biden

00:42:46 - 00:43:20 ()

And I hope I've demonstrated my whole career I have the enormous respect for Mexico as an independent nation, a great nation, and I have great respect for you.

Joe Biden

00:43:20 - 00:45:05 ()

We have liberals, moderates, conservatives, and extreme conservatives. I'm waiting for the Republican Party to come back to traditional conservative positions. We have to start to talk with them, to one another, in this country, with respect.

Joe Biden

00:45:05 - 00:45:13 ()

I have enormous respect for you, and I'm ready to get to work. And I'm going to find out how she holds that camera [inaudible]. It's amazing.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:45:13 - 00:45:19 ()

[Via Interpreter] This is a journalist from Mexico. She's exceptional.

Joe Biden

00:45:19 - 00:45:30 ()

She is exceptional. Just holding that camera. [Laughter] At any rate --

Question

00:45:30 - 00:45:32 ()

Thank you, Mr. President.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador

00:45:32 - 00:45:41 ()

[Via Interpreter] This is a tribute, homage to all of -- all of the media here. Yes. Women and men journalists, reporters. Thank you so much.