Also in attendance was Tijuana Mayor, Dr. Jorge Astiazaran. Kevin K. McAllenan highlighted the important commercial relationship with Mexico, and specifically with the border city of Tijuana, a city that plays an important role because it facilitates innovation for businesses and enables expansion of the maquiladora industry on both sides of the border.
"As a government, we should continue to support each other and challenge ourselves with new ideas and better practices. I believe we are doing this. At this point, we have a relationship of mutual trust and mutual respect with the Mexican government", state McAleenan.
The deputy commissioner indicated that the implementation of programs that the United States has created will benefit the community in Tijuana, such as the Trusted Traveler Program, which will enable enrollees to be considered trusted travelers throughout North America, and will simplify and harmonize customs requirements.
He also stated that the Mexican tax authority's new certified company security program (NEEC for short in Spanish), follows the same guidelines as the CBP, and will strengthen supply chain security for international trade, by implementing minimum standards.
Additionally, McAleenan stated that the San Ysidro Port of Entry expansion will seek to minimize the impact of costs of transactions of international commerce at the border, and will transform and change processes by implementing new technologies to innovate and provide greater flexibility at the border.
Also in attendance at the panel were Christopher Sabatini, director of the Americas Society and Council of the Americas; Eduardo Medina Mora, ambassador of Mexico to the United States; and Christopher Wilson, member of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
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