Sending a message: The American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico promotes trade in Washington. (Spotlight).

A delegation of staff and volunteers from the AMERICAN CHAMAER OF COMMERCE OF MEXICO traveled to Washington D.C. last May to meet with officials from George W. Bush's administration, as well as key U.S. Congressmen. The goal was to discuss the issues that concern the AMERICAN CHAMBER/MEXICO'S membership and the U.S.-Mexico business community.

In addition to high-level one-on-one meetings, delegates attended the 32nd Council of the Americas conference "New Realities in the Hemisphere," and the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America's (AACCLA) 35th annual general meeting and its "Forecast on Latin American and the Caribbean" forum. At both the Council and AACCLA meetings, the delegation heard from top officials from the departments of State, Commerce, Labor, as well as a number of undersecretaries, Congressmen and private-sector representatives.

This year's mission was marked by the ongoing ramifications of Sept. 11, and the change in global sentiment that prevails in Washington today. According to U.S.-Mexico analyst Robert Pastor, "No nation in the world has suffered more than Mexico due to the attacks and the attention of the Bush administration on Bin Laden."

And that same message was echoed by speakers from the legislative and executive branches at both conferences. Homeland Security Advisor Tom Ridge said the Bush administration has recognized that there will likely be "more Bin Ladens, (and that we) need to think smart about the border to allow for an expeditious flow of goods and people."

For those with time to look beyond U.S. domestic economic and security issues, Trade Promotion Authority was the buzzword. Meanwhile, Mexico was praised as the trade story in the hemisphere thanks to its leadership in forging free trade agreements with more countries than any other in the world. ]Lastly, the AMERICAN CHAMBER/MEXICO, delivered the message of Nafta's success in boosting trade and investment and creating higher-paying jobs.

Still, in private meetings, U.S. officials were anxious to get AMERICAN CHAMBER/MEXICO's impression of Mexico's Congress, President Vicente Fox's

administration, and his successes and shortcomings in over a year in office. More importantly, they looked to the AMERICAN CHAMBER/MEXICO delegation to get a feel for the challenges that lie ahead. Argentina, Colombia and Venezuela were cited as examples of the frailty that still permeates the region. But despite these problems, International Monetary Fund Deputy Managing Director Anne Krueger said there has been very little contagion in the region, which speaks to the continued, sound macroeconomic policy in most of the hemisphere.

When the delegation met with Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Asa Hutchinson and Ambassador of Mexico to the United States Juan Jose Bremer, the message was the same. Hutchinson said the relationship between Bush and Fox is "historic" and that intelligence sharing between the DEA and Mexico's Attorney General's office is at an alltime high. Bremer said both countries have entered into a new phase in their relationship, seeing problems as challenges and allowing for a more level playing ground in reaching resolutions.

Still, there is no doubt that domestic affairs have become the U.S. government's focus, with foreign affairs relegated to the back burner. As a result, the AMERICAN CHAMBER/MEXICO will refocus its efforts in helping to get Mexico on the U.S. political agenda again.