WASHINGTON D.C. — A bipartisan congressional delegation led by Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) recently concluded a diplomatic mission to Mexico, meeting with President Claudia Sheinbaum and senior government officials to address critical bilateral issues including border security, drug trafficking, and trade relations.
Productive Discussions on Border Security
The delegation’s meetings with President Sheinbaum and U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ron Johnson focused on several pressing concerns, including securing the southern border, combating the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs, addressing cartel influence and China’s role in drug trafficking, and strengthening trade relations.
“Our delegation’s meeting with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was both constructive and productive,” said Congressman Davis. “She emphasized the proactive measures Mexico is implementing to address fentanyl and cartel activities and efforts to secure our southern border.”
Mexico Deploys Significant Resources
Since the beginning of 2025, Mexico has demonstrated substantial commitment to border security by deploying over 10,000 National Guard troops to its borders. These efforts have effectively prevented approximately 700,000 unlawful entries into the United States, according to official reports.
The Mexican government has also expanded American surveillance operations and intensified its crackdown on cartel activities to combat trafficking of fentanyl and other illegal substances.
“Mexico’s actions and the Trump administration’s policies have significantly reduced unlawful border crossings,” Congressman Davis noted. “But our work isn’t finished. China poses a serious threat, and Mexican drug cartels will continue to find ways to smuggle drugs into America. We must stay ahead of them.”
Economic Interdependence Highlighted
The discussions underscored the critical economic relationship between both nations. Mexico serves as the United States’ largest trading partner in goods and services, ranking as North Carolina’s third-largest export market and second-largest source of imports.
According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the United States exported over $860 billion worth of goods and services to Mexico in 2024 alone, with more than five million American jobs linked to this trade relationship. Approximately 18,000 U.S. companies operate in Mexico, and Mexico remains the primary source of H-2A workers for temporary and seasonal agricultural jobs in the United States.
Trade Policy Impacts and Future Negotiations
Mexican officials reported approximately 70,000 job losses throughout Mexico under current Trump administration trade policies. During discussions with the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico, participants emphasized the need to build upon the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaced NAFTA in July 2020.
“President Sheinbaum demonstrated her commitment to a mutually safe and secure border, a shared robust fight against illicit finance, and crafting a successful review of the USMCA that yields greater economic growth and benefits working families in Mexico, the United States, and Canada,” said U.S. House Financial Services Chairman French Hill.
Trump Administration Announces Trade Extension
Following the congressional delegation’s visit, President Trump announced a 90-day extension of existing trade terms, delaying a planned 30 percent tariff that was set to take effect on August 1, 2025. After speaking with President Sheinbaum, Trump indicated both nations will continue negotiating a broader deal, with Mexico agreeing to eliminate certain non-tariff barriers.
The current 25 percent tariff on goods not covered by the 2020 USMCA will remain in effect during ongoing negotiations.
“Mexico is our largest trading partner. Stable trade policy is essential for our long-term economic health and generating investment, which is essential for eastern NC working families and beyond,” Congressman Davis stated.
Delegation Composition and Davis’s Border Focus
The congressional delegation was led by House Committee on Financial Services Chairman French Hill (AR-02) and included seven lawmakers, among them Congressman Tim Moore (NC-14), the former Speaker of the North Carolina House. Congressman Davis served as the senior ranking Democrat of the delegation and also holds the position of ranking member of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
Since taking office, Congressman Davis has made border security a priority, visiting the southern border three times with trips to McAllen and Eagle Pass, Texas, and Nogales, Arizona. He has traced detainee journeys from eastern North Carolina and visited ICE detention facilities in Alamance County, NC, and Lumpkin, GA. Additionally, Davis traveled with a House Armed Services Committee delegation to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The Mexico trip represents part of Davis’s ongoing commitment to enhancing southern border security through diplomatic engagement and bipartisan cooperation.
