Chris Lowrey
MEXICO Oct. 18, 2017
Pontiac MP Will Amos joined Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and several other high ranking delegates on the PM’s first state visit to Mexico earlier this month.
Amos was on the trip because of his position as the co-chair of the Canada-Mexico Parliamentary Friendship group. Additionally, both Amos and his wife Regina Flores – whose parents emigrated from Mexico in the 1970s – lived in Mexico for extended periods in the past.

It was the first time Amos has accompanied such a high level delegation on a state visit, and he said he was thrilled to take part.
“It was a unique experience,” Amos said. “I was totally honoured to be invited.”
During the trip, Amos and the PM’s delegation met with high ranking Mexican politicians, representatives from Canadian companies operating in Mexico and human rights organizations.
Amos said one of the highlights of the trip was experiencing the pomp and circumstance that come with state visits. He said the reception the delegation got as well as the state dinner at the Mexican national palace were especially thrilling.
The timing of the trip is especially significant in light of the ongoing renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
“It’s a moment in history,” Amos said. “Canada and Mexico are dealing with uncertainty with our most important trade deal.”
He said that Mexico and Canada have similar concerns when it comes to NAFTA renegotiations. He pointed to the fact that Canada and Mexico are both looking to push key files when it comes to NAFTA. For Mexico it means putting emphasis on sugar and corn while Canada wants to focus on softwood lumber and dairy.
With both countries sending more than 70 per cent of exports to the U.S., Canada and Mexico are in unique situations when it comes to negotiating with the dominant trading partner in NAFTA.
“Suffice it to say that the Mexican sentiment right now is unique because the President of the United States has made it clear that his priority is a wall,” Amos said.
With the recent revelation that U.S. negotiators have asked for a tenfold increase in access to Canadian dairy markets, the supply management system splayed by Canada has become a focus of the negotiations.
While Amos emphasized that his role on the trip was merely to accompany the delegation, he said he made sure to make the Pontiac perspective known to those in attendance.
“This visit afforded me the opportunity, in casual discussions, to speak about how I see the protection of our agriculture and forestry sectors because they’re important to the Pontiac,” he said.
Amos said that the PM and his delegation are aware of where the Pontiac’s priorities are when it comes to NAFTA discussions.
“It’s not often you get to spend that kind of time in close proximity to such key players,” Amos said. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again that I’m a staunch defender of our supply managed dairy industry.”