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Mexico City. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador released a letter he sent to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, in which he states that a border closure would impact a region that is considered by itself (between Texas, California, New Mexico and Arizona, as well as the six Mexican border states), as the fourth largest economy in the world, since it would impact the crossings of one million people and 300 thousand vehicles.

In the letter he also clarifies that he is still the Mexican president, in response to Trump’s suggestion that he had already retired. With humor and irony, the president wrote a postscript in his letter: “Listen, I am still the President of Mexico, which is why you said I was no longer here; I finish at the end of September. I am clarifying this because a few days ago you said I had already retired. Please, my friend, don’t go around telling me to go to hell before my time. Even if you laugh and it always seems strange to you, here goes another hug.”

“I understand that you are campaigning and that you are not, as some people think, a stubborn man. That is why I consider it important to point out that the economic integration between our nations is so intense and widespread that taking a measure of this nature, closing the border, would be equivalent to calling for a rebellion on both sides because of the damage it would cause to the people, industry and trade.

Photo Luis Castillo

“This undesirable prospect would be particularly acute in the United States, especially in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, which together with the six Mexican border states represent the world’s fourth largest economy.”

In the letter addressed to Trump, in which he repeatedly mentions him affectionately, López Obrador states that closing the border would prevent one million people and 300,000 vehicles from crossing customs and border bridges, of which 70,000 transport merchandise from one country to another and which cross the border daily.

In his comments to Trump, he said that the most effective and humane thing to do is to understand the causes of migration, to help create jobs and better living conditions in people’s places of origin. He said that instead of adopting unilateral measures that are harmful to countries and populations, it is preferable to opt for dialogue, cooperation and agreement.

He argues that it is not feasible for cars sold in the United States to be produced there, not because they lack the technological capacity to produce them, but because for the American consumer, buying a vehicle imported from Mexico means a saving of between 10 and 15 thousand dollars.

The letter highlights the importance of the Mexican community in the US economy, because Mexicans generate 325 billion dollars and send 63 billion dollars to Mexico. In other words, they leave 85 percent of the resources they earn in their country and send 15 percent to Mexico.

“Friend President Trump, without the trade agreement that has benefited the three countries so much, mainly through import substitution since its creation of jobs, we would run the risk of falling behind, since China legitimately intends to launch 32 percent of the GDP in 2040, that is its plan. In contrast, if the nations of North America do not unite and strengthen each other, we will barely achieve 23 percent.”

The proposal has not only consisted of orderly opening of the borders in North America, but also seeking in the future the economic integration of all of America, combining natural resources, technology and labor and taking advantage of short distances to transport and take advantage of high demand, said López Obrador.