The United States and Mexico are strategic allies and economic partners. The two countries share not only a 2,000-mile border, but a dynamic trade that generated more than $500 billion in bilateral trade in 2013 and supported millions of jobs in both countries. Together with Canada, Mexico, and the United States make up one of the most successful regional economic platforms in the world, whose sustained competitiveness depends largely on continued economic and trade cooperation, supply chain integration, and public policy alignment.

 

Based on then-Vice President Biden's words: “U.S. and Mexican companies understand the value of our integrated economy, and have designed their productive processes accordingly, making full use of our competitive advantages and geographical proximity. Today, we build things together and many finished products exported by our countries reflect this high level of co-production.  Our joint efforts through the HLED build on this important foundation by promoting regional integration and competitiveness, improving connectivity, and fostering economic growth, productivity, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

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HLED focuses on key strategic economic and trade priorities to promote economic growth, job creation and competitiveness. Two organizations were created in response to these priorities: MUSEIC and FOBESII. Binational activities carried out in the past as part of the iCluster Project maintained a close interaction with these organizations coordinated around the HLED priorities and considering three main goals:

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​​Promotion of competitiveness and connectivity

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• Collaboration in air transport, telecommunications and renewable energy

• Promote tourism to the United States and Mexico in foreign markets

• Participation in trade facilitation and regulatory cooperation efforts

• Foster economic growth, productivity, entrepreneurship and innovation

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Foster economic growth, productivity, entrepreneurship and innovation

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• Working together to promote entrepreneurship

• Cooperation on economic development strategies for the border region

• Follow a joint investment strategy

• Enhancing innovation by promoting and protecting intellectual property

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Association for Regional and Global Leadership

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• Promoting development and business growth in Central America

• Address market access issues in third countries

• Search for the coordination of regional standards to promote greater competitiveness