The Austin Chamber has joined other business and community organizations in signing a joint letter to Secretary Dr. Jorge Alcocer Varela of the Mexican Ministry of Health requesting "unity among the vital trading partners in North America."

The letter reads:

"Representing USA’s largest exporting State, the undersigned Texas industries, chambers of commerce, and economic development entities request unity among the vital trading partners in North America to ensure all critical infrastructure/essential industries, and their supply chains, can continue to safely operate across Mexico, Canada, and the United States even amidst the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

"For many decades Mexico and Texas have benefitted from a healthy and symbiotic relationship. On both sides of the border our prosperous businesses and industries depend daily on the close trading and global supply chain ties we share.

"To help preserve our very successful industry relationships through these challenging times, particularly now that USMCA is finally in place, we urge Mexico to adopt guidelines aligned with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security guidelines for critical infrastructure industries and the newly issued federal guidelines from the Canadian federal government.

"Texas’ industries that support public safety, first responders, and national security across the region have thus far had great success in keeping many of our manufacturing plants open while keeping our employees as safe as possible with protective health guidelines now in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Unfortunately, the lack of clarity with recent announcements from the Mexican government about what manufacturing is deemed 'essential' is causing significant adverse impacts for many Texas and U.S. plants dependent on Tier 1 and 2 suppliers across Mexico that support our critical industries.

"We would urge unity among the vital trading partners in North America to ensure all critical infrastructure and essential industries, and their supply chains, can continue to operate across Mexico, Canada, and the United States during the COVID-19 crisis. We believe the health of our employees, their livelihoods, and each of our nation’s economies can be successfully managed."

Download the letter