California Governor Jerry Brown to Meet Mexico President Enrique Peña Nieto for Immigration, Trade Talks
California Gov. Jerry Brown embarked on a three-day trip to Mexico to meet with Mexico's president, Central American leaders and religious figures on a variety of issues including immigration and trade.
Brown's first day will include a private sit-down meeting with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto. According to Brown's office, the trip's main purpose is to "help boost" investment opportunities, economic and environmental cooperation between California and Mexico.
Although the topic of immigration and the influx of undocumented minors from Central American countries will be addressed, the governor emphasized the business trade aspect of the trip. He stated he wants to increase trade and push an "intelligent" climate change agenda with Mexico.
"The relationship with Mexico, the role of those of Mexican heritage in California, is fundamental to our schools, to our well-being, and I think this trip will be productive," Brown said before departing California.
The governor's office confirmed the meeting with the Mexican president will be private, but a photo will be released after the meeting.
Brown's Monday schedule includes meetings with the Governor of the State of Mexico Eruviel Ávila and with the country's Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.
For Tuesday, Brown is scheduled to meet with more than a dozen diplomatic and religious leaders from Central America. The governor's office confirmed the Tuesday meeting will address immigration.
Brown said, "We want to deal with some issues on the refugees that are coming across the border."
During a reception on Sunday, Brown said, "Because of our proximity, and our history, and also our sympathetic policy both to Mexico and to the plight of people who have struggled to get [to California] from Mexico, we are in a very good position to forge very close and productive relationships."
The governor's trip includes meetings with Mexico's Ministry of Economy and the country's Secretary of Labor and Social Welfare Alfonso Navarrete Prida on Wednesday.
In preparation for the trip, Brown has met with the Mexican Consuls General from several California cities in March and with Mexico's Secretary of Foreign Affairs José Antonio Meade Kuribreña in Sacramento on July 23. Following the meeting with Kuribreña, Brown announced an invitation for Peña Nieto to visit California later this year.
Brown's trip was organized by the California Chamber of Commerce and includes a delegation of approximately 90 state government, business, economic, investment and policy officials. According to The Associated Press, the delegates paid $5,000 each to attend the trip.
The trip, referred as the Trade and Investment Mission to Mexico, comes after 2013's Trade and Investment Mission to China by the Californian governor.