America and Mexico have strong partnership in the age of Trump

When it comes to U.S.-Mexico relations in the age of Trump, media coverage portrays a partnership on the rocks. Yet, a dispassionate and deeper dive shows the bilateral relationship to be on a positive trajectory. Just last month, Mexico’s foreign minister stated that the relationship now is “closer than it was with previous [U.S.] administrations, which might be surprising to some people but that’s a fact of life.” These words do not seem to be empty rhetoric.

In June 2017, the Trump administration and the Mexican government co-hosted a two-day, high-level conference on security and prosperity in Central America. The U.S. delegation was led by Vice President Mike PenceMichael (Mike) Richard PenceVirginia couple pleads guilty to misdemeanor charges linked to Capitol riot Juan Williams: GOP preparing the ground to steal an election How to investigate Jan. 6 (and other politicized issues) without a commission MORE, with Cabinet members Rex TillersonRex Wayne TillersonHouse passes legislation to elevate cybersecurity at the State Department Biden's is not a leaky ship of state — not yet With salami-slicing and swarming tactics, China's aggression continues MORE, John KellyJohn Francis KellyMORE and Steven MnuchinSteven MnuchinDemocrats justified in filibustering GOP, says Schumer Yellen provides signature for paper currency Biden's name will not appear on stimulus checks, White House says MORE also in attendance.

High-level visits and meetings have continued in both countries. While still secretary of State, Tillerson visited Mexico twice. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan has done so, too. The majority of U.S. Cabinet officials have also visited our southern neighbor. This not even factoring in the amount of time White House senior adviser Jared KushnerJared Corey KushnerThe Israel-Hamas ceasefire is holding — what's next? Eric Trump buys .2M home near father's golf club in Florida CDC's about-face on masks appears politically motivated to help a struggling Biden MORE has spent with the highest levels of the Mexican government.

Cabinet officials of Mexico’s President Enrique Peña Nieto frequent D.C. as well. Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray in particular has close relationships with the Trump administration and was recently hosted by three U.S. Cabinet members, National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster and other senior officials. As for the North American Free Trade Agreement, doomsday predictions insisted that President TrumpDonald TrumpDOJ asks Supreme Court to revive Boston Marathon bomber death sentence, in break with Biden vow Biden looking to build momentum for Putin meeting DOJ tells media execs that reporters were not targets of investigations MORE would have shredded it by now. Instead, the three parties are closer than ever on reconciling disagreements and will meet for the eighth round of talks next month.

Even the tone toward Mexico has shifted. During his recent visit to California to view the border wall prototypes, President Trump said, “Cooperation with Mexico is another crucial element of border security. [The Department of Homeland Security] coordinates closely with the Mexican law enforcement, and we must absolutely build on that cooperation…I have a great relationship with the president of Mexico, a wonderful guy, Enrique…We're trying to work things out.”

This was shortly after unconditionally exempting Mexico from steel and aluminum tariffs. Cooperation on a range of issues has seen a meaningful uptick as well. Working alongside the Trump administration and other regional partners, Mexico has emerged as a leader in the coalition known as the Lima Group. Mexico has also led efforts on Venezuela at the Organization of American States and are coordinating with the United States on North Korea. Mexico’s expulsion of the North Korean ambassador last fall represented a significant escalation by the Mexicans.

The facts speak for themselves. Mexico is engaged in an unprecedented level of cooperation with the United States. Last January, one of us wrote that “President Trump’s ‘America First’ strategy means that Donald Trump intends to act in the best interests of the United States. Our friends and allies should find this course reassuring rather than threatening. Few things are more important than having friendly, prosperous and secure neighbors on both sides of the border.”

This past year has proven that assertion correct. As with any relationship, there will always be areas of disagreement including differences that are aired publicly. That is a natural consequence of relations between two democracies. Yet, indicators point toward a bright future. The frequent visits, meetings and exchanges on issues unrelated to NAFTA reflect a strategy in development. No one should discount a significant announcement in the near future. Hopefully by then, there will be more truth-telling in the media’s U.S.-Mexico narrative.

Ana Quintana is a policy analyst specializing in Latin American issues at the Allison Center for Foreign Policy at The Heritage Foundation. James Jay Carafano is a vice president in charge of national security and foreign policy research at The Heritage Foundation.