San Antonio, TX — U.S. Representatives Henry Cuellar (TX-28) and Will Hurd (TX-23) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Mexico’s Foreign Secretary Marcel Ebrard calling for a coordinated definition of “essential” in order for businesses in both countries to have the same guidelines. The goal is to provide businesses with clarity and ensure cross-border trade and international supply chains can continue moving properly.

“Vital supply chains between the United States and Mexico, on which jobs, food production, medical and other critical goods all rely, have been disrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic,” said Cuellar. “It is imperative that we coordinate our national guidance with Mexico on what is considered “essential” businesses or services. As the chairman of the U.S-Mexico Interparliamentary Group and a member of the Bipartisan White House Task Force, I am committed to ensuring our economy is positioned for long-term prosperity and working with our Mexican neighbors in order to do so. I want to thank the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Border Trade Alliance, and border stakeholders for their commitment to economic prosperity for our two nations.”

“Trade between Mexico and the U.S. is critical to both our economies, and, here in Texas, this trade is particularly important. As we continue to battle COVID-19, we have to ensure that our supply chains can keep running, and our businesses can operate under healthy circumstances. In order to do that, Mexico and the U.S. should coordinate our definition of an ‘essential’ business or service. This will allow businesses in both regions to operate while keeping our trade relationship alive and thriving. This is key to ensuring the U.S. continues to be a major economic force in the world, and it will help propel North American competitiveness forward,” said Hurd. 

The letter is available here.