Mexico Secretary of Economy

Mexican Secretary of Economy Tatiana Clouthier (right) during an online meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Feb. 26, 2021.

MEXICO CITY — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held his first official trip on Friday, but online, as a result of the pandemic. His destination was Mexico, where he met with senior officials and even crossed the border using video.

Secretary Blinken virtually entered into Mexico through the Texas border, guided by Greta Campos, El Paso’s acting port director on a video tour. 

“Our pedestrian traffic is down 50% since the pandemic started, and the nonessential travel restrictions were put in place,” Campos said while walking around the facility.

Blinken said border safety, trade and immigration are top priorities for the Biden administration. 

Afterwards, the secretary held online meetings with Mexico’s secretaries of economy and foreign affairs. 

According to the Department of State, two-way trade between Mexico and the U.S. totaled more than $538 billion in 2020.