Ducey makes last business trip as governor

MEXICO CITY – Arizona Governor Doug Ducey made his last trade mission as governor to Mexico City, where his meetings focused on the state’s US$17 billion relationship with Mexico, ties that have grown over the past eight years.

The packed itinerary included back-to-back meetings with high-level officials and business leaders, as well as a roundtable discussion with manufacturers and a reception with U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar.

Ducey was accompanied on the trade mission by Arizona Commerce Authority President and CEO Sandra Watson and Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden.

Mexico was one of Governor Ducey’s first international trips in office. Since 2015, he has been committed to renewing and restoring the Arizona-Mexico relationship to expand opportunities and create jobs.

“Arizona and Mexico are more than neighbors – we are partners. It has been a priority from day one to nurture this friendship of trust. In terms of trade, Mexico is Arizona’s number one trading partner. Beyond business, many people in Arizona have family ties in Mexico that go back generations. We have a mutual goal of improving trade, security and education. This trade mission is the culmination of eight years of working together. I look forward to exploring opportunities for further collaboration,” said Governor Ducey.

The Arizona government highlighted collaboration with former Sonora Governor Claudia Pavlovich to bring thousands of jobs to the region, championing the most significant international trade agreement in nearly three decades, and strengthening infrastructure to allow commercial trucks and products to move more safely and efficiently across the border and on their way to consumers.

Since 2016, total trade between Arizona and Mexico has increased by $1.9 billion, reaching more than $17.5 billion in 2021. Mexico accounts for more than one-third of Arizona’s exports.