The Biden administration last Friday extended its travel ban on non-essential travelers crossing the nation鈥檚 northern and southern land borders, despite Canada reopening its border to vaccinated Americans on August 9. 

Canada plans to welcome travelers of all nationalities starting September 7,听joining most developed countries, which started reopening their borders to vaccinated travelers over the summer.

The United States, however, continues to maintain a nonsensical patchwork of restrictions for foreign visitors, hurting American businesses and doing little to prevent new infections.

Currently, most Canadians and Mexicans are unable to enter the U.S. via land ports of entry, even if they are vaccinated against Covid-19 with a vaccine offered in the U.S. All 鈥渘onessential鈥� travel across America鈥檚 land borders has been restricted since March 21, 2020, with the policy recently being extended to September 21.

However, Canadians and Mexicans can fly across the border and into a U.S. airport with just a negative antigen test for Covid-19, regardless of their vaccination status.

Furthermore, most Europeans are unable to fly to the United States if they have been in the United Kingdom, Ireland or Schengen Area in the previous 14 days. This is despite most European countries currently having fewer Covid-19 infections per capita than the U.S.. 

However, Europeans can enter the country if they have spent 14 days in a third country, such as Mexico or Turkey, despite Covid-19 being much more prevalent in those countries.

Americans this summer have been able to travel to most European countries quarantine-free with just a negative PCR test. Some countries, such as Greece, do not even require pre-departure testing for vaccinated travelers.

In 2019, more than international tourists from countries affected by the air-travel restriction visited Arizona. In the same year, , the majority driving across the border. In total, international tourists .

In the first six months of 2019, international passengers traveled through Phoenix鈥檚 Sky Harbor International Airport. In the first six months of this year, there were only international passengers 鈥� just a 2.4% increase from 2020, compared to domestic air travel鈥檚 42% rebound at Sky Harbor.

Border communities have been impacted especially hard by the ban on nonessential travel at the Mexican border. In 2019, from Mexico. It is estimated that Mexican residents spend per day in Arizona.

Prior to the pandemic, an estimated of Nogales, Arizona鈥檚 sales tax revenue came from Sonorans shopping in the city. For border community merchants, this type of travel is anything but 鈥渘onessential.鈥�

While most developed nations have adapted their border policy to account for vaccination status or the prevalence of Covid-19 in the country visitors are traveling from, the federal government has only expanded its blanket travel ban on many countries, which now includes China, Iran, the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, South Africa and India, in addition to the closure of America鈥檚 land borders to 鈥渘onessential鈥� travel.

We can safely reopen our borders without threatening the progress we have made against Covid-19.

England, for example, maintains a tier system of countries, with travelers from 鈥済reen鈥� countries facing fewer restrictions than those arriving from 鈥渁mber鈥� or 鈥渞ed鈥� countries. Vaccinated Americans traveling to England only require a pre-departure Covid-19 test and a Covid-19 test on their second day in the United Kingdom, with no quarantine required.

We鈥檙e more than capable of establishing a similar system in the United States 鈥� or doing away with travel bans for vaccinated travelers altogether.

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It鈥檚 a wrap. Arizona voters have spoken. Despite some major disappointments, business and industry saw some major wins, too. 

First the new president. President-elect Joe Biden鈥檚 victory could prove favorable for Arizona when it comes to trade, immigration and border policies, said Glenn Hamer, president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, which represents some of the largest employers statewide.

Business and industry now hope to see an end to the punishing trade wars and tariffs of the past four years.  

鈥淚 don鈥檛 think we鈥檙e going to see tariff threats on our allies like Mexico and Canada, and for a state like Arizona that relies heavily on trade, that鈥檚 a positive going forward,鈥� Hamer said.

Border issues should improve

He predicts improved relations for trade and cross-border tourism, major financial drivers for Arizona. There鈥檚 also hope that restrictive visa policies that have made it difficult to hire workers and attract top students from other countries will improve. 

鈥淐OVID-19 precautions must be at the front of the line in moving forward, but we need to get our borders up and running with our friends and allies and North American neighbors,鈥� Hamer said. 鈥淪nowbirds from Canada need a haven from their brutal winters. In terms of Mexico, many of our border communities are integrated and border closures have been devastating.鈥�

Keeping new tariff-free trade pact secure听听听

Hamer is also confident that the new administration will keep the new United States- Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) secure. The is bringing cross border commerce into the modern age with new provisions that include guidelines and protection for e-commerce and intellectual property that will benefit Arizona. 

鈥淚鈥檓 very bullish that the next administration will expand on this tremendous agreement and further cement our trade ties,鈥� he said.

Tax and regulatory agenda cause for concern

Hamer鈥檚 organization was a vocal supporter of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which he argues was essential to the country鈥檚 pre-pandemic economic expansion.

鈥淲e won鈥檛 support a rollback of the tax reductions that unlocked one of the most vibrant economies the country鈥檚 ever known,鈥� Hamer said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e counting on job creators to help us recover from the current downturn. Saddling them with higher taxes and more regulatory red tape won鈥檛 grow the economy.鈥�

Hamer says the outcome of two U.S. Senate runoff races in Georgia in January will be pivotal.

鈥淭hese races will determine not only which party controls the Senate, but also the extent to which policies that help create jobs will either be retained or rejected,鈥� he said.

A much needed healing message听

Biden hit all the right chords in his victory , said Hamer, who immediately sent out a tweet congratulating the president-elect: 

鈥淚t was uplifting and unifying. We are a good people and the greatest country in the history of the world. We are the UNITED STATES of America. It鈥檚 time to heal,鈥� Hamer wrote.

Voters retain pro-business, pro-tech, pro-education stewards

At both the national and state level, Arizona voters retained a majority of candidates endorsed by business and trade groups who have worked to build the state鈥檚 economy and future.  

At the state Legislature, the GOP held onto majority control. While the chamber endorses candidates from both parties, keeping the provides needed certainty right now, said Garrick Taylor, executive vice president for the Chamber. 

Under the state鈥檚 leadership, Arizona has watched its economic strength grow exponentially, and it鈥檚 experiencing a faster recovery from the pandemic than many other states.

鈥淲e鈥檙e less concerned with partisan affiliation than we are with making sure the Legislature is committed to strengthening the state鈥檚 competitiveness,鈥� Taylor said. 鈥淓nsuring that there is a strong majority of pro-jobs, pro-growth legislators is more essential than ever.鈥�

Proven record for moving mountains

Among those re-elected to their respective state houses are dozens of lawmakers who have successfully led Arizona to increase teacher salaries and funding for education to the tune of $1 billion more per year, promote policies to attract a wide range of industries and high paying jobs, and take on a major battle with Mother Nature. 

Last year, Senate President Karen Fann, House Speaker Rusty Bowers and other legislators helped smooth a sometimes contentious process to update the seven-state to protect one of Arizona鈥檚 most important water resources, the Colorado River.  

A new U.S. senator

One person who was essential in moving the historic water pact forward was Arizona鈥檚 U.S. Senator Martha McSally, who lost her bid to retain her Senate seat against  astronaut and fellow military pilot Capt. Mark Kelly (D).  

McSally, lauded as one of the hardest working public servants in Congress, received strong support from business groups including chambers of commerce, trade associations and small business groups. Earlier this year, McSally received the U.S. Chamber鈥檚 Abraham Lincoln Leadership for America for her record of bipartisan pro-job, pro-free enterprise work. 

Arizona business leaders are now eager to forge a similar relationship with Senator-elect Kelly.  

鈥淎rizona鈥檚 job creators congratulate Capt. Mark Kelly on becoming the state鈥檚 next U.S. senator. We look forward to working with him on policies that will strengthen the country and state鈥檚 economies,鈥� Hamer said. 鈥淢any Arizona businesses are struggling during this pandemic-induced downturn, so there is much work to be done. Sen.-elect Kelly can count on us as willing partners.鈥�

Two serious blows to small business, industry

Two state ballot propositions that were widely opposed by business and trade groups statewide also received voter approval. Both were heavily funded by out-of-state groups.

Most daunting was the narrow passage of Proposition 208, the 鈥淚nvest in Ed鈥� measure. The new law imposes a high personal income tax on the state鈥檚 top earning individuals to fund education. Forgotten in the frenzy to help educators, voters did not realize it would impact tens of thousands of small businesses as well.

鈥淭his is a job-killing tax that threatens to destroy Arizona鈥檚 reputation as a pro-business, pro-job creation state,鈥� Hamer said. 

The could stifle Arizona鈥檚 ability to compete with other states. Neighboring states such as Nevada, New Mexico and Utah have lower or zero income tax rates. Other states are rejecting similar measures. Colorado voters elected to lower that state鈥檚 income tax.

Passage of Proposition 207 was another blow. The new law makes recreational marijuana legal in Arizona. Business groups fought its passage for a , including a fear of more workplace injuries and accidents and less productivity on the job. 

Moving forward听

Despite some major disappointments, voters resoundingly cast their ballots for dozens of public servants who have made Arizona a business-friendly state. 

鈥淎rizona is now counting on their leadership to develop the policies necessary to emerge from the pandemic just as we entered it鈥攚ith one of the nation鈥檚 strongest economies,鈥� Hamer said. 

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A bipartisan bill making its way through Congress could be a major step forward to expand modern border security technology to help streamline commerce, safeguard intellectual property and derail criminals along the Southwest border. 

Expanding technology like autonomous towers, ground sensors, electro-optical cameras, lasers, chemical detectors, X-rays and other devices would aid U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in carrying out its two-fold mission: to facilitate trade and protect national security, proponents of the bill said.  

鈥淥ur bipartisan bill improves border security technology to help strengthen security and keep Arizona safe,鈥� said Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who introduced the bill in the Senate along with Texas Senator John Cornyn (R). 

Continuing to modernize technology along the heavily trafficked border is particularly important for Arizona, which relies heavily on trade and supply chains with Mexico, said Glenn Hamer, president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 

鈥淭he trade flows between Arizona and Sonora and the rest of Mexico are central to the state鈥檚 overall economic health,鈥� Hamer said. 鈥淒ata reveals that Arizona trade with Mexico in 2018 was over $16 billion, a 7.7% increase from the previous year.鈥�

Bill would assess technology gaps 鈥渕ile-by-mile鈥�

The bill, the Southwest Border Security Technology Improvement Act of 2020, would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to assess the technology needs along every mile of the 2,000 mile border in conjunction with physical barriers. 

Under the legislation, Homeland Security would take a more detailed look at emerging technologies, including manned and unmanned aerial systems, tower-based surveillance technology, and tunnel and other detection devices. DHS also would be required to consider and examine the impact of public health emergencies like the coronavirus on border security. 

The analysis would help the agency strengthen terrorist prevention, reduce criminal activity and explore new technologies, the co-sponsors said.

DHS would be required to report back on areas where improvements could be made. A border security technology plan then would be developed to procure or develop identified technologies. 

The bill recently cleared the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and now is on its way to the full Senate. A mirror version of the bill was introduced in the House last week by Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) and Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas).

Among those in support of the bill are the Border Trade Alliance, the Border Patrol Council and the National Treasury Employees Union, which represents the nation鈥檚 CBP officers and trade enforcement specialists.

U.S. investing in unmanned towers, sensors, imaging technologies 

Over the past few years, border agencies have been investing more in emerging commercial technologies for more efficient operations and capabilities.

In the past two years, Homeland Security has been investing in , formerly known as Innovative Towers, that operate off-grid with 100 percent renewable energy and provide autonomous surveillance operations 24 hours per day. CBP recently entered into a contract with 鈥渧irtual border wall鈥� startup Anduril for over 140 unmanned surveillance towers to put in place in 2021 and 2022.

The agency also is testing technology at ports of entry that will allow CBP personnel to see an image inside commercial trucks at a border crossing before drivers pull up for inspection. The technology would make it easier for officers to make faster and better informed decisions about which cargo trucks to stop for more thorough inspections.

To read the bill in its entirety, go to: .

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Arizona border communities that were overwhelmed with the migrant crisis last year are rebounding as asylum seekers are being routed back into Mexico, commerce is flowing more smoothly at crossing ports, and a new free trade agreement is in place, local mayors said Tuesday.听听听

Nonprofit, faith-based and government agencies that provided food, shelter and other services to migrants last year also are seeing some relief with the announcement of a of emergency funding from the National Board for Emergency Food and Shelter Program.

And as the migrant humanitarian crisis has shifted south of the border, a new $2.5 million shelter opened this month in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, to take in families that continue arriving in search of a legal path to America.听

鈥淓verything has calmed down completely,鈥� said Nogales, Arizona Mayor Arturo Garino. 鈥淎lmost everybody is being processed in Mexico. We don鈥檛 have people waiting to come across. I was in Nogales, Sonora, yesterday and it took me 15 minutes to get across when it would have taken two hours last year.鈥�

Almost one million migrants arrived at U.S. borders

Last year, record breaking numbers of Central American families trekked north to the border seeking asylum, resulting in hours-long delays at many ports of entry.听

Close to a million — 977,509 — migrants were last year, almost double the amount from five years prior, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB).听

Under threat from the Trump administration, Mexico agreed to stem the flow of migrants. Monthly apprehensions dropped from around 100,000 each month to tens of thousands.

Commerce buzzing again听

Now, at the height of produce season, 1,300 to 1,500 trucks transporting goods are flowing smoothly across the border daily, Mayor Garino said.听听

Businesses that were hurt by the border chaos are seeing profits returning, he said. Sixty-five to 70 percent of the city鈥檚 sales tax comes from outsiders who come to shop in Nogales or stop on their way to Tucson. Last year, border issues caused the city’s revenues to decrease by about $140,000.

When the mayor gives his state of the city speech next month, he expects to announce that听 revenues are well into the black.听听

Yuma state of emergency lifted听

In Yuma last year, Mayor Doug Nicholls, was faced with a city crushing under the weight of thousands of migrants needing assistance.

In one four-month period, Yuma dealt with 5,700 desperate migrants, mostly Central American families released from custody by the Border Patrol, he said. He called upon the city鈥檚 non-profit partners to help prevent widespread homelessness and starvation among migrant families.

In April, he called a state of emergency when city services, shelters and food lines could no longer handle the influx.听

The dollar impact for illegal immigration activity during the first half of 2019 is estimated at about $1.2 million, which includes the sheltering process and health care costs that were not reimbursed, said Nicholls, who withdrew the emergency proclamation in December.听

New policies and stronger border security in place听

As the crisis reached a tipping point, new U.S. Migrant Protection Protocols were put in place to return migrants to Mexico to await processing or return them to their home countries. The White House also entered into agreements with Mexico and Central American countries to increase border security.

Now, the border region is stabilized, the two mayors said.听听

Second round of funding to reimburse agencies that aided migrants听

To reimburse agencies that shouldered much of the burden of the humanitarian crisis, an act called the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act was signed into law on July 1, 2019.听

It provides $30 million for the Federal Emergency Management Agency鈥檚 Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) to reimburse local communities. During round one, $8 million was reimbursed to over 80 entities for expenses incurred the first six months of 2019. Round two covers the second half.听

State and local social service organizations in Arizona are eligible to apply for this supplemental funding on the .

New shelter opens on Mexican side of the border听听

To continue to assist migrants, the nonprofit Kino Border Initiative unveiled its this month near the Nogales-Mariposa Port of Entry.听

Called the Migrant Outreach Center, the 19,000 square-foot facility has dining space, classrooms, offices and separate sleeping areas for men and women and children.听

United States Mexico Canada Agreement to help border economies听听

After a rough year, both mayors said last month鈥檚 passage of the new free trade agreement, the USMCA, offered a ray of hope.听听听

鈥淚t is critical to the continued and increasing growth of the Yuma area,鈥� Nicholls said. 鈥淲e are already seeing interest in companies looking to have a United States presence and keeping close proximity to both Mexico and California. Job creation and opportunity benefits the Yuma region that has a unique positioning to engage on the global stage.鈥�

Moving forward听

Both mayors said they hope that the region can now focus on strengthening economies and communities.听

There are still challenges ahead. Immigration reform is one, said Nicholls, adding that Yuma鈥檚 thriving agricultural and other industries rely upon labor from neighboring countries to supplement the lack of domestic workers.

Global competitiveness will rely on updated, concise immigration laws, he said.听

鈥淲e have come a long way past the humanitarian border crisis of 2019, but are not done yet,鈥� Nicholls said. 鈥淥ur nation is founded upon legal migration. The need for a more modern immigration reform is long overdue. It is a federal level issue that has a huge impact locally.鈥�

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Mexico is Arizona鈥檚 top trading partner, accounting for about 30 percent of the state鈥檚 exports to foreign markets, according to an extensive ongoing study by the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona.

With that in mind, it鈥檚 no wonder that business leaders, trade experts and economists agree the cross-border relationship is of the utmost importance to Arizona when it comes to trade, manufacturing, education, safety, tourism and more.

The Arizona-Mexico Commission celebrated its this year. The organization works to improve economic prosperity and quality of life for Arizonans through close public and private collaboration with Mexico.

鈥�If 60 years of work with the Arizona-Mexico Commission has taught us anything, it鈥�s that we achieve so much more when we work together,鈥� said Gov. Doug Ducey earlier this year. 鈥�It鈥�s with a spirit of friendship, and as partners, that we will continue working together toward a brighter future for our families and communities.鈥�

Ducey has been instrumental in enhancing the AMC鈥檚 effectiveness throughout his tenure as governor, calling the relationship between Arizona and the Mexican state of Sonora an 鈥渆thnocultural entity that precedes even the existence of both Mexico and the United States.鈥�

According to the AMC, visitors from Mexico contribute more than $7 million a day to Arizona鈥檚 economy by shopping in stores, eating at restaurants, staying in hotels and spending money at businesses in the state.

鈥淥ur trade numbers are looking fantastic through the first three quarters of 2019,鈥� said Luis Ramirez, president of Ramirez Advisors International and an expert on Arizona-Mexico issues.

Ramirez said the early half of 2019 saw a drop in the number of people crossing the border into the United States, which he attributes to the 鈥渉ardening鈥� of the border under the Trump administration, including reassignment of Customs and Border Protection officers away from ports of entry to support Border Patrol operations.

Though Mexican visitors at first hesitated to travel to the U.S. in 2019, Ramirez said those numbers have begun to turn around in Q3, and the volume of trucks moving northbound through Arizona ports of entry has increased substantially.

鈥淪an Luis is going up almost 26 percent; Nogales is going up almost 5 percent,鈥� he said. 鈥淎 5 percent increase may not sound like much, but for Nogales that translates to almost 12,000 additional trucks over the same period as last year.鈥�

Ramirez said he expects both Nogales and San Luis ports of entry to set new records for the number of trucks crossing the border into the U.S. in 2019.

Fresh produce is one of the biggest industries that feeds the international economy in Arizona, and tomatoes imported from Mexico make up a significant part of the supply of fresh tomatoes in the U.S.

The U.S. imported $1.9 billion worth of fresh tomatoes from Mexico in 2016 鈥� about 3.4 billion pounds 鈥� which represent 40 to 50 percent of the national supply, according to a 2018 by the UArizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

鈥淯.S consumers enjoy a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables year-round,鈥� the report read. 鈥淭his is facilitated by the United States importing produce from countries that can grow crops during times of the year when production is not possible in the United States. Even though it is grown and harvested elsewhere, produce grown abroad supports economic activity, jobs and income in the United States.鈥�

Mexico is Arizona鈥檚 No. 1 destination for manufacturing exports, due in part to Mexico鈥檚 and IMMEX (Industr铆a Manufacturera, Maquiladora y de Servicios de Exportaci贸n) program.

Arizona鈥檚 manufacturing exports to Mexico have increased from less than $3 billion in 2001 to more than $6 billion in 2018, according to collected by the Eller College.

One industry that Arizonans tend to overlook 鈥� but which is significant to both Arizona and the state of Sonora 鈥� is mining, Ramirez said.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e huge job-creators, and they typically create jobs in rural parts of both Arizona and Sonora,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hough there may be different companies who are making the investments, the mining supply chain is blossoming.鈥�

That鈥檚 the reason, for example, that Caterpillar moved its mining division to Tucson a couple of years ago.

Ramirez said mining is emerging as a huge source of new investment in Arizona and Sonora鈥檚 border communities, offering high-paying jobs for skilled workers in job-scant areas.

鈥淲e hear mine after mine working on both sides of the border with universities and colleges 鈥� particularly trade schools 鈥� for training of prospective employees,鈥� Ramirez said. 鈥淭hose are long-term impacts that we see in the communities.鈥�

He said the two entities are intrinsically tied 鈥� Arizona and Sonora, and Arizona and Mexico 鈥� through history, culture, environment, business and tourism.

Family ties that span decades and generations exist between Arizona and its southern neighbors, and tourism dollars flow from the U.S. into Mexico all year long.

Ramirez said Arizona visitors to Puerto Pe帽asco, Mexico 鈥� also known as Rocky Point 鈥� account for more than half a billion dollars for the state of Sonora.

鈥淎nd it鈥檚 important for job creation, for investment in Mexico, so that people stay in Mexico,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey have jobs rather than having to look somewhere else.鈥�

Tourism works both ways, too. Ramirez said the Arizona border communities of Douglas, Nogales and San Luis receive anywhere between 60 and 70 percent of their retail tax revenue from Mexican visitors.

For bigger cities farther north, that number can be lower, but it鈥檚 still significant 鈥� Ramirez estimates Mexican visitors account for about 25 percent of sales tax in Yuma and more than 10 percent in Tucson.

Ramirez鈥檚 biggest piece of advice for those interested in supporting Arizona-Mexico collaboration: Stay informed, especially beyond big, sensational headlines.

鈥淭here are security issues, and we cannot deny them鈥� they鈥檙e having an impact,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut that鈥檚 not all that Mexico is. It鈥�s still a great place to visit; you just have to be conscious and aware.鈥�

Ducey has worked closely with Sonora Gov. Claudia Pavlovich to increase ties between the two neighboring states and to increase safety for tourists from both states traveling across the border.

鈥淚 think Gov. Ducey and Gov. Pavlovich have instilled this 鈥�let鈥�s work together鈥� attitude 鈥� let鈥�s work together on everything from security, to trade and economic development, to working together on job creation, to working together on our infrastructure,鈥� Ramirez said.

He said most people don鈥檛 realize that Mexico invested $1.8 billion in improving the Arizona-Mexico corridor on the southern side of the border, saving trucks from Mexico City between 4 to 12 hours to get to the U.S. border with Arizona.

鈥淭here are so many things that are happening, and because of the leadership of these two individuals, it鈥檚 really easy to work side-by-side across the border,鈥� Ramirez said.

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The Arizona congressional delegation is once again working to ensure that fresh tomatoes from Mexico can be imported into the United States duty-free.

U.S. Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Martha McSally and U.S. Reps. David Schweikert, R-Fountain Hills, and Tom O鈥橦alleran, D-Casa Grande, sent a to U.S. International Trade Commission Secretary Lisa Barton underscoring the importance of international produce trade to Arizona鈥檚 economy.

The USITC is in its final phase of an investigation determining whether the U.S. produce industry is at risk due to Mexican imports of fresh tomatoes.

Earlier this month, the Florida Tomato Exchange (FTE) filed a request to continue that , just a month after the U.S. Department of Commerce signed a new suspension agreement with the Mexican tomato industry ensuring tomato imports remain duty-free.

Now, Arizona鈥檚 representatives are stepping up to keep the cross-border produce trade duty-free.

鈥淎s the Commission continues the final phase of its to determine whether a U.S. industry was materially injured or is threatened with material injury by reason of imports of fresh tomatoes from Mexico, we respectfully urge that you consider the interests of American consumers and Arizona workers in making any determination,鈥� the representatives said in the letter to the USITC.

鈥淚mported tomatoes give consumers choices and access to a higher quality and greater variety of produce,鈥� the letter continues. 鈥淥ur trade relationship with Mexico is also an economic driver for our state, region, and country.鈥�

McSally has introduced an amendment to a spending bill for the Commerce, Justice and State departments to prevent the antidumping investigation from proceeding.

“None of the funds appropriated by this Act or any other Act may be used for the purpose of enforcing a suspension agreement, continuing an antidumping duty investigation or enforcing an antidumping duty order related to fresh tomatoes from Mexico,” the amendment reads.

Arizona is one of the country鈥檚 leading entry points for fresh produce from Mexico.

鈥淭rade in tomatoes from Mexico supports around 33,000 American jobs and contributes millions of dollars to the economy of Arizona.听 I will continue to fight on behalf of Arizonans听for duty-free trade in tomatoes,鈥� McSally said.

A 听referenced in the letter to the USITC confirmed McSally’s jobs number claim and revealed that supply chains derived from Mexican tomato imports account for nearly $3 billion in U.S. gross domestic product.

鈥淲e will continue working to protect Arizona jobs from unnecessary trade restrictions,鈥� Sinema said in a .

Sinema was instrumental in the successful negotiation of the new suspension agreement.

鈥淎rizona鈥檚 relationship with neighbor Mexico supports thousands of jobs across the state and is a driver of our economic growth,鈥� Schweikert said in a . 鈥淚 am pleased to see the Arizona delegation stay consistent in working together to protect our cross-border trading relationships and Arizona jobs from harmful trade restrictions.鈥�

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Last month, the Arizona-Mexico Commission welcomed foreign relations experts to its 60th Anniversary Summit to discuss trade and opportunities in North America.

International Trade Administration director of policy Joseph Laroski, Consul General of Canada in L.A. Zaib Shaikh, and the Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute director Duncan Wood joined the summit for the Markets of Opportunity panel discussion.

Melissa Sanderson, AMC board member and听vice president of international affairs for Freeport-McMoRan, moderated the panel.

Sanderson and the panelists discussed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the opportunities in North American trade.

Mexico 鈥� which refers to the agreement as T-MEC 鈥� last month, the only country in the agreement to do so at this point.

鈥淥ur country鈥檚 very much in favor of all three countries doing what they have to do in the timeline they see fit for their constituents, for their governments and their administrations,鈥� Shaikh said.听

Canada 鈥� which refers to the agreement as CUSMA 鈥� is awaiting parliamentary action on the deal. In order for the U.S. to pass the USMCA, it must be ratified by Congress.

In the U.S., the Republican Congress members are expected to , but Democratic support is not as secure.

鈥淭here are Democrats from districts where a lot of business depends upon the certainty that鈥檚 given by North American trade鈥� And so, there will be pressure on those Democrats to go for ratification,鈥� Wood explained.

The panelists also discussed the importance of not letting migrant controversies at the border impact the productivity of trade.听

鈥淭here鈥檚 no reason to hold up our trade relationship due to the immigration issues that we have before us,鈥� Laroski said.

Last month, President Donald Trump would be placed on imported goods from Mexico to Arizona unless Mexico stopped or slowed the stream of migrant caravans to the U.S. border.

The tariffs were suspended indefinitely after Mexico agreed to put more resources into addressing the issue. But experts fear the cross-border migration issues will impact trade.

鈥淔or the next year as we move up to the 2020 election, I鈥檓 afraid that trade is going to be a very political issue 鈥� migration, security are connected with trade,鈥� Wood said.

鈥淭he threat of tax works so that when the time comes where it makes sense to use them again, from his point of view, they鈥檙e going to come back,鈥� Wood said.

The Markets of Opportunity panel was held Friday, June 28, at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa.

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鈥淣ever doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.鈥� 鈥揗argaret Mead

There is perhaps no truer statement to describe the Arizona-Mexico Commission鈥檚 (AMC) binational committees and the extraordinary results they have produced over the course of 60 years. The individuals serving on these committees have the best interests of both Arizona and Sonora in mind as they tackle a range of issues important to each state and to their respective Governors. The ultimate goal? To improve the quality of life in our region through cross-border collaboration.

The AMC was originally established in 1959 as the Arizona-Mexico West Coast Trade Commission, and by 1972 Governor Jack Williams of Arizona felt the Commission could expand its binational influence. The organization was rebranded and shortly thereafter the committees as we know them today were formed, starting with Agriculture and Livestock, Art and Culture, Banking and Finance, Education, Health, Tourism, and Trade and Commerce.

This unique structure is what sets the Arizona-Mexico Commission apart from other organizations. Today, there are 16 such binational committees, each led by a public and private sector co-chair from Arizona and Sonora. Many of our committee chairs are state agency directors, private sector leaders and experts in their respective fields.

Committee meetings are where the bulk of the AMC鈥檚 ideas originate and are the driving force behind the organization鈥檚 successes 鈥� many of which have garnered international attention. The committees welcome participation from members of the Arizona-Mexico Commission and the Comisi贸n Sonora-Arizona (CSA) interested in helping drive the initiatives planned over the course of the year. Committee actions lead to real results, and these accomplishments are presented to the governors twice each year at the summer and winter commission meetings.

Since 1972, these committees have been an integral part of the Arizona-Mexico Commission鈥檚 foundation and the binational relationship. Under Governor Ducey鈥檚 leadership, the work of these 16 committees has been re-energized through the cooperative and productive relationship shared with Sonora Governor Claudia Pavlovich. Between 2015 and 2018 alone, 13 memorandums of understanding, declarations of cooperation and joint statements have been signed and issued鈥攁ll of which have contributed to improvements in public safety, ease of transportation, quality of education, and joint efforts in the promotion of tourism and economic development in the shared region.

We have seen some great examples of collaboration that have resulted in game-changing projects for the region, starting in the early years when engineers from Mexico toured Arizona to learn firsthand about Arizona鈥檚 irrigation projects. A few decades later when the U.S. Hermosillo Consulate General office was facing closure due to budgetary cutbacks, the AMC spearheaded efforts to save it. Those efforts not only saved the U.S. Hermosillo Consulate General, they also resulted in a second U.S. Consulate General in Nogales. To this day, Sonora is the only state in Mexico with two U.S. Consulate General offices. In recent years, the AMC has taken things to an entirely new level with projects such as the Border Liaison Unit and the establishment of the Safety Corridor between the Lukeville-Sonoyta Port of Entry and Puerto Pe帽asco, Sonora. These initiatives both seek to facilitate trade and tourism while enhancing safety measures.

However, the committees have also inspired many lighthearted moments. Within the first two decades of the organization鈥檚 founding, we saw multiple friendly sports exchanges between Arizona and Sonora. Arizona hosted numerous Little League baseball teams while the University of Arizona sent multiple softball teams to play in Mexico. In 1968, the State of Sonora gifted Arizona a statue of Father Kino. The statue currently resides in Tucson, Arizona and contains a copper time capsule that is to be opened in 2235.

The Arizona-Mexico Commission has ensured that the shared language, history, culture, stories, food, and most importantly, values, transcend our shared border to offer a unique and vibrant region. It is through the 16 committees that the Arizona-Mexico Commission is empowered to champion these values that continue to strengthen an incredibly important relationship. Our ties with Mexico have never been stronger, and through the impactful work of the AMC鈥檚 thoughtful, committed partners, we will continue to make a lasting impact for the next 60 years and beyond.

Juan Ciscomani serves as senior advisor for regional and international affairs to Gov. Doug Ducey and vice chair of the Arizona-Mexico Commission board of directors.

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For 60 years the Arizona- Mexico Commission (AMC) has served to promote a strong and cooperative relationship between Arizona and Mexico.

The organization has been a constant in Arizona since 1959 when Governor Paul J. Fannin and Sonora Governor 脕lvaro Obreg贸n saw the importance of fostering cross-border cooperation and common ground. Together they launched what began as the Arizona-Mexico West Coast Trade Commission and its sister organization in Sonora, the Comit茅 de Promoci贸n Econ贸mica y Social de Sonora-Arizona.

In 1972, Arizona Governor Jack Williams expanded and elevated the newly renamed Arizona-Mexico Commission鈥檚 activities and appointed a select group of prominent business and community leaders to serve on its board of directors. Today, binational committees chaired by leaders in the public and private sector drive the work of the AMC to improve the economic prosperity and quality of life for all throughout the region.

The AMC has expanded its scope to a broad array of shared issues, including trade, infrastructure, energy, and tourism, becoming stronger under this structure even as state leadership changed hands under multiple Arizona and Sonora governors.

Throughout its 60-year history, the AMC鈥檚 contributions are expansive and lasting, focusing on advocacy for policies that uplift the joint region. Most recently, the Commission has played an essential role in advocating for the ratification of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Through its work, the AMC is keenly aware of the deep impact trade between the U.S. and Mexico has on furthering economic prosperity in the region, and regularly discusses the importance of enhancing the two economies. A report released earlier this year by the AMC and the Arizona Chamber Foundation found that in 2018 Arizona鈥檚 two-way trade with Mexico equaled $16.6 billion 鈥� nearly $7.6 billion in exports and $9 billion in imports.

Keeping trade, commerce, and tourism flowing is, of course, key. The organization is doing its part to reduce border wait times through championing innovative programs like Unified Cargo Processing, a joint U.S.-Mexico inspection program piloted at the Nogales Port of Entry.

The AMC also works to facilitate joint promotion of the region as a tourist destination, and supports binational university partnerships for Arizona鈥檚 universities through international degree programs and classes, student exchanges, and collaborative research initiatives. To support regional safety and strong infrastructure, the AMC has facilitated unique cross-border partnerships such as the Lukeville-Puerto Pe帽asco Safety Corridor and the commercial driver-training program that make our infrastructure safer and more efficient.

As chair of the AMC, Gov. Ducey knows the importance of keeping Arizona鈥檚 relationship with Mexico strong. Under his leadership, the AMC has never been more vibrant or effective. By continuing an open dialogue on common issues of importance, the two states have been able to advocate effectively on behalf of the region even as international tensions over border issues rose and fell over the years.

As we move into an increasingly interconnected world, the role of the AMC in strengthening Arizona鈥檚 ties with Mexico, Arizona鈥檚 number one trading partner, will become even more important. International business and global trade are on the rise, and increasingly our key partners are those across our own borders. The AMC has set the standard as to how to develop and maintain a lasting neighborly relationship built on trust and mutual understanding.

The organization鈥檚 60-year legacy of cross-border collaboration is one to celebrate. As permanent neighbors looking to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship, Arizona and Mexico are incredibly fortunate to have organizations like the AMC and its counterpart in Sonora working as neighbors for good.

Arizona Governor Paul Fannin put it best when he said, 鈥淕od made us neighbors, let us be good neighbors.鈥� Today the AMC keeps Gov. Fannin鈥檚 words close as it works in collaboration for the mutual prosperity of Arizona and Mexico.

Jessica Pacheco is vice president of state and local affairs for Arizona Public Service. Glenn Hamer is president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Photo courtesy of the Arizona Department of Transportation.

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The recently appointed Consul General of Mexico in Phoenix, the Honorable Jorge Mendoza Yescas, was welcomed by the Phoenix community earlier this week.

Consul Mendoza is from Sonora and has worked in Tucson, Texas and most recently Vancouver before his appointment as Consul General of Mexico in Phoenix.

The Arizona-Mexico Commission (AMC) hosted a reception at the Phoenix Country Club to welcome Consul Mendoza.

Leaders and community members who champion the Arizona-Mexico relationship joined in welcoming him.

鈥淚 was appointed by the president of Mexico as the Consul General of Mexico in Phoenix to serve Mexicans鈥� to strengthen our important relationship,鈥� Consul Mendoza told attendees.

In his role, Consul Mendoza will support Mexicans in the greater Phoenix area in a variety of ways.

鈥淭he role of consul general is basically to represent the foreign estate here in the area in the consulate district, right? Also, it鈥檚 to serve over the best interest of Mexican nationals who are living in the consulate district and also who might be a tourist,鈥� Consul Mendoza told 探花精选.

He said he will also work to establish commercial and economic relationships.

In addition to representation, the Consul General will work to meet the needs of Mexican citizens, such as passports, birth certificates and more.

鈥淭he main one is the passports, we issue passports for Mexican nationals need to do something like any process they may have in the state or in the country here in the U.S.,鈥� Consul Mendoza said.

He said, 鈥淲e provide birth certificates to Mexican nationals and also legalizations of U.S. documents [that] can be validated and used in Mexico.鈥�

The welcome reception was held at the Phoenix Country Club on the evening of Wednesday, June 5, and was hosted by the AMC, which works to improve the economic prosperity and quality of life for Arizonans through collaborations with Mexico in advocacy, trade, networking and information. This year, the AMC celebrates its 60th anniversary.

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