Archived GAC Evening Events

Based on a 2011 National Survey of Latinos, this Pew Research Center report covers the way in which the categorization of Americans who can trace their roots to Spanish-speaking countries as “Hispanic” or “Latino” have not been “embraced by Hispanics themselves. A majority (51%) say they most often identify themselves by their family’s country of origin; just 24% say they prefer a pan-ethnic label.”

Based on face-to-face interviews, this Pew Research Center report looks at the way in which "Mexicans overwhelmingly are dissatisfied with the direction of their country. With drug-related violence affecting much of Mexico, large majorities describe crime (81%) and illegal drugs (73%) as very big problems, and Mexicans overwhelmingly endorse President Felipe Calderón’s tough stance against drug traffickers."

An opinion piece written by CNN Contributor Ruben Navarrette, this is a personal reflection on the tense relationship between the U.S. and Mexico and the way that relationship adds tension to the lives and identities of Mexican-Americans. As he notes, "For Mexico, the relationship with the United States is complicated and filled with hard feelings. Most Americans probably never give a thought to the fact that, in 1848, the United States invaded Mexico and forced its leaders to sign over half their territory at the point of rifle. But for Mexicans, who think in terms of centuries, not minutes, the reminders are everywhere."

Twenty years ago, the city had a reputation as a dangerous place, but successive local administrations have made it safe for residents and visitors. Analyst O'Neil points out that there is a large police and security camera presence to keep it that way.

A 2013 article written by Juliana Menasce Horowitz, a senior researcher at the Pew Research Center, which notes that "When U.S. President Barack Obama travels to Mexico this week, he will encounter a Mexican public that has far more positive attitudes about the United States than at any time in the last several years..."

A country rich in history, tradition and culture, Mexico is made up of 31 states and one federal district. It is the third largest country in Latin America and has one of the largest populations—more than 100 million—making it the home of more Spanish speakers than any other nation in the world. Despite the political and social changes that have occurred over the centuries, evidence of past cultures and events are apparent everywhere in Mexico...

Something happened here. It’s as if Mexicans subconsciously decided that their drug-related violence is a condition to be lived with and combated but not something to define them any longer. Mexico has signed 44 free trade agreements — more than any country in the world — which, according to The Financial Times, is more than twice as many as China and four times more than Brazil. Mexico has also greatly increased the number of engineers and skilled laborers graduating from its schools. Put all that together with massive cheap natural gas finds, and rising wage and transportation costs in China, and it is no surprise that Mexico now is taking manufacturing market share back from Asia and attracting more global investment than ever in autos, aerospace and household goods...

From Business Insider, this article gives a brief overview of what NAFTA is, what it was intended to do, the geopolitical benefits (or barriers) of NAFTA, its effects on the manufacturing jobs in the U.S., the positives NAFTA had for the U.S., its impact on stocks, and what will happen if it is scrapped.

This On Point audio program facilitated by Tom Ashbrook looks at how Mexico is responding to President Trump's first few weeks in office.

Just over 10 years ago, United States Border Patrol agents were startled by an unexpected new development in their rear-guard battle to stop illegal immigration: Brazilians.
In 2005 thousands of them started streaming across the southwestern border. More than 31,000 were apprehended by the Border Patrol trying to make their way into the United States, a number surpassed only by Mexicans, Salvadorans and Hondurans....

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly visited Mexico this week, where they met with the country's president, Enrique Peña Nieto, and other senior officials.

The inauguration of the 45th president of the United States came with a pledge to use the first 100 days in office to overturn the applecart on trade, creating a major diplomatic headache for America’s northern neighbour.
While Mexico and China are in the "crosshairs" of US President Donald Trump, Canada risks getting "sideswiped" by Washington’s about-face...

Mexico City (CNN)Mexicans took to the streets Sunday to air their grievances against President Donald Trump and to protest corruption in their home country.
Two separate demonstrations, which together drew an estimated 20,000 people, merged on Mexico City's main avenue, Paseo de la Reforma, in a march mostly focused on the new US President...

President Donald Trump’s timetable to negotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement threatens to slip into an election year for Mexico, which could feel the economic impact of the uncertainty especially if the agreement starts disintegrating...

Rachel Maddow looks at how the State Department under Donald Trump and Rex Tillerson is becoming weaker and is losing its most experienced staff, to the point of being left out of a meeting with the visiting foreign minister of Mexico. ..

The Mexican state abandoned by Ford after Donald Trump's election says it's courting Asian manufacturers to make up for the loss. As Silvia Antonioli reports, the region's governor also says clearing up uncertainty over the future of NAFTA will be key to attracting new investment...

A learning guide from a previous GAC event.