Readout of Secretary Johnson's Trip to Mexico

Press Release

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson today wrapped up a two-day trip to Mexico where he met with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and senior Mexican officials to discuss the ongoing partnership and cooperation between the United States and Mexico to ensure a safe and secure border region, which is critical to both nations' economic competitiveness and national security. Earlier today, Secretary Johnson joined Secretary of Finance and Public Credit Luis Videgaray Caso to sign the Declaration of Principles Concerning Bilateral Strategic Plan Initiatives, which provides a guiding framework under which both nations can discuss and implement binational programs and initiatives related to customs, trade facilitation, and the sharing of information.

"The Declaration of Principles we signed today reaffirms the shared commitment of the United States and Mexico to collaborate on security matters and to continue to promote the economic growth and prosperity essential to both of our nations," said Secretary Johnson. "As we know, effective customs partnership is the linchpin in our nations' efforts in increasing security and economic prosperity. This Declaration of Principles is built on the doctrines of shared responsibility and joint border management which underlie our engagement. And it recognizes that security and facilitation are mutually reinforcing objectives."

During his trip, Secretary Johnson also met with Secretary of Interior Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong, Secretary of Foreign Affairs José Antonio Meade Kuribreña, and Attorney General Jesús Murillo Karam.

Yesterday, Secretary Johnson delivered keynote remarks to the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment, and Technology, highlighting the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) efforts to facilitate lawful trade between the United States and Mexico, while maintaining the highest standards of security and combating transnational crime.

During his remarks, Secretary Johnson highlighted an example of this collaboration through the support for each nation's respective trusted shipper programs, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and Mexico's New Scheme of Certified Companies. C-TPAT is a voluntary public-private sector partnership program that strengthens cargo security throughout the international supply chain by working closely with importers, carriers, consolidators, licensed customs brokers, and manufacturers.

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