Gov. Chris Christie, a potential presidential contender looking to build some international credentials, kicked off a three-day trade mission to Mexico on Wednesday with talks that touched on national Republican priorities as well as meat-and-potato New Jersey business issues.
The trip is billed as an opportunity to bolster New Jersey’s already healthy economic relationship with Mexico, which brings in billions of dollars annually. But during a keynote address to business leaders, the governor discussed national issues such as the construction of the Keystone pipeline, and he declared that the United States’ foreign policy begins with its neighbors to the north and south — not overseas.
"Too often, our neighbors in Mexico and Canada have felt that they were an afterthought in U.S. foreign policy," Christie said. "My view is that they should be our first thought."
The line, delivered in an address at the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico, or AmCham, got applause from the crowd. AmCham is a nonprofit business advocacy group that promotes trade and investment between Mexico and the United States.
During the 30-minute speech, Christie said the delay of the Keystone pipeline has had "a chilling effect on economic growth and job creation" for North America.
"We are missing an enormous opportunity when we delay development of the Keystone XL pipeline," Christie said.
"Not only is Keystone a major job creator, delays in its approval sends an unfortunate signal on multiple fronts," he said. "Approving Keystone would actually drive down the price of oil and help consumers in all North American countries. It should be done today."
The governor described being "blessed by strong, deep and cooperative relations" with Mexico and Canada in light of unrest in other parts of the world.
"It is striking in looking at events around the world, with turmoil throughout much of the Middle East, with Europe struggling to generate economic growth coming out of the recession, to consider, perhaps as a model, what we are trying to build here in North America," he said.
Christie — who’s never shied away from criticizing President Obama, whose administration delayed the pipeline — didn’t mention the president when he spoke about the "North American energy renaissance" and how the project should immediately be pushed through.
The governor also touched on another controversial topic: the United States-Mexico border. However, like the issue Keystone pipeline, Christie didn’t criticize other officials or even reference the words "border" and "security" together during his speech. Instead, he argued officials should invest technology into the border to ensure the free flow of trade between Mexico and the United States.
"I know that one key area on which the CEOs are putting special focus is the importance of modernizing border infrastructure and reducing the barriers to smoother and more efficient — and therefore less costly — cross-border flows," Christie said.
The day also included meetings with Mexican officials. Following his early afternoon arrival in Mexico, Christie sat down with U.S. Ambassador Tony Wayne and Mexican Ambassador Sandra Fuentes, the consul general of New York. He was slated to shake hands with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto last night.
Christie said his mission to Mexico is not just a business venture for the state’s economy, but also an opportunity to "listen and learn."
"I’m looking forward to the meetings that I’ll be having, I’m looking forward to bringing back the message of success and, most importantly, partnership between our state and Mexico," Christie said early in the day. "I am here not only to bring our thoughts, our ideas and our business leaders to Mexico. I’m also here to listen and learn."
Christie added it’s "extraordinarily important for any of us who want to have an opportunity to lead and to develop our states and grow them in a better way."
The governor announced the state signed a partnership agreement with ConnectAmericas.com, a social media platform "that connects Latin American and Caribbean enterprises with business opportunities throughout North America," according to Christie’s office.
"Mexico is also New Jersey’s second-largest customer after Canada," Christie told business leaders, adding the two-way trade between Mexico and New Jersey reaches $5.5 billion. According to the administration, New Jersey exported more than $2.18 billion to Mexico.
