In a press conference held in August 2001, it was announced that a preliminary agreement on an Immigration Plan has been reached between the U.S. and Mexico. Speaking for the U.S., then Secretary of State, Colin Powell, said the two countries would begin talks to form concrete proposals including a program to grant temporary residence to Mexicans working in the U.S.
Mexico's Foreign Minister Jorge Castaneda said the agreement would include protection of "the rights and the benefits Mexicans need - all Mexicans," who are living in the U.S. In 2006, Hispanics became the largest minority in the U.S. with more than two-thirds being of Mexican origin.
Immigration is still a hotly debated topic between the two countries. Escondido, California is just the latest entry into this discussion. The city is attempting to establish legislation that would fine apartment landlords if they rent to illegal immigrants.
Yet despite concerns over immigration, U.S. companies view Mexico as one of the leading markets for their products and services. Mexico is one of the largest economies in the world. Some economists speculate Mexico's economy will surpass that of Canada by the end of 2007.
Smart business owners recognize Mexico as an attractive market with commercial benefits due to NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement. Since the agreement in 1992, trade between the three countries, Canada, Mexico and the U.S. has increased over 128%.
More businesses are being drawn to Mexico for both the economic opportunities and Mexico's young consumer base. These consumers view U.S. made products and services in a very favorable light.
The task now is for U.S. companies doing business with Mexico to develop solid relations with their Mexican associates. Knowing the business culture and how to properly communicate is becoming more important every day as other competitors such as China, Japan and the European Union increase their investment and trade with Mexico.
Companies from these countries are highly skilled in cross-cultural communication. It's up to U.S. companies to enhance and expand their own expertise in cross-cultural communication or risk falling behind the competition.
1 comment:
Shouldn´t the police be the ones who police the outlaws? Police could mean "border patrol" or "homeland security" or any other government organization in charge of overseeing the laws are obeyed. Seems to me the Escondido city council is thinking of deputizing landlords (without pay) so they can check the legal status of every potential renter. Hmmmmm... Every renter? I wonder if a tall, blonde, blue-eyed, surfer dude will be carded the same as a dark latino with a heavy accent. Can you say "racial profiling"? Haven´t they heard of the fourth amendment?
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