U.S. affirms commitment to Mexico trade

U.S. affirms commitment to Mexico trade    U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke affirmed the Obama administration's commitment to bilateral trade with Mexico during a meeting on Monday with Mexico's Economy Secretary Gerardo Ruiz Mateos.
   This was the first meeting between the two secretaries. Locke and Mateos agreed to work together on border infrastructure, customs facilitation and regulatory cooperation.
   'Cooperation in these areas will not only help promote and facilitate trade but lower the cost of goods to consumers in both the United States and Mexico and contribute to economic development on both sides,' Locke said in a statement.
   Both secretaries also agreed that trilateral cooperation between the three North American Free Trade Agreement countries is needed to improve the continent's competitiveness and facilitate trade integration.
   In addition, Locke reiterated his support for a permanent and NAFTA-consistent answer to concerns cross-border trucking with Mexico. 'The administration is committed to finding a timely resolution through legislation for a new program that addresses legitimate congressional concerns and satisfies our NAFTA obligations,' he said.