(The Center Square) – Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs is currently in Mexico City, Mexico, to meet with political and business leaders.
The country is the state’s “largest trading partner times four,” according to the Arizona-Mexico Commission website.
“Mexico is Arizona’s top trading partner and a growing market for advanced technology and other key industries for Arizona manufacturing and supply chains. The Arizona-Mexico relationship is critical to the future of our state, and we must continue to be proactive in seeking new opportunities and strengthening existing ones,” Hobbs said in a statement on Tuesday.
“I’m excited to lead this group of business leaders and elected officials, and look forward to meeting with our Mexican partners to discuss all the ways Arizona and Mexico can forge a path of mutual economic prosperity and create an economy where everyone can thrive,” she continued.
Arizona Commerce Authority President and CEO Sandra Watson and Arizona Office of Tourism CEO Lisa Urias are also going to be on the trip, in which they will be meeting with Mexico Secretary of Economy Raquel Buenrostro among others, according to a news release.
The governor has made headlines since entering office in January 2023 related to her policies related to Mexico. Last February, she ousted all the members of the Arizona-Mexico Commission and announced new appointments to the board in August.
In addition, Hobbs raised trade and tourism concerns following the Lukeville Port of Entry closure in December, as it serves as a crucial point to get to Rocky Point, Mexico, and also played a role in trade, despite being one of the smaller ports in Arizona.
“This is a bad decision that impacts our border security, it hurts our economy because it’s putting a damper on trade and tourism,” Hobbs said at the time, The Center Square reported.