Australia–Mexico relations

Australia–Mexico relations

Australia
Mexico

Australia–Mexico relations refers to the bilateral relations between Australia and Mexico. Both nations are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, G-20 major economies, MIKTA, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Trans-Pacific Partnership, United Nations and the World Trade Organization.

History

In the beginning, diplomatic relations between Mexico and Australia were conducted via London. In the late 1930s, Mexico established an honorary consulate in Sydney; however during the outbreak of World War II, Mexico closed its consulate. Both Australian and Mexican troops fought together in Philippines Campaign during World War II to liberate the country from the Japanese. In 1960, Mexico re-opened its consulate in Sydney which led to formal diplomatic relations being established between the two nations on 14 March 1966.[1]

Both countries have similar interests in increasing trade within the Pacific rim and to each other. In September 2011, both nations signed an Action Plan to advance the relationship in political relations, economy and trade, development cooperation, education and culture.[2] In 2010, a bilateral air service agreement was signed between both nations.[2] There are approximately 3,000 Mexican citizens resident in Australia.[3]

Tourism

In 2013, approximately 77,000 Australian citizens visited Mexico for tourism. At the same time, approximately 7,300 Mexican citizens visited Australia.[2]

State visits

Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard attending the G20 summit in Los Cabos; 2012
Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto attending the G20 summit in Brisbane; 2014

Prime Ministerial visits from Australia to Mexico[4][5]

Presidential visits from Mexico to Australia[6][7][2]

Trade

Mexico is Australia's largest trading partner in Latin America. In 2014, two-way trade between both nations amounted to $1,562 billion USD.[8] Australia's exports to Mexico amounted to $553 million USD and include: aluminium, medicament's, copper ores and concentrates. Mexico's exports to Australia amounted to $1.9 billion USD and its export products include: lead ores and concentrates, telecom equipment and parts, fertilizers and passenger motor vehicles.[8] Australia is Mexico's 24th biggest export market and Mexico is Australia's 25th biggest export market, respectively.[9] In January 2004, a double taxation agreement was signed between both nations. Since 2012, Australia, Mexico and eight other countries have been negotiating what is to be known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement. The trade negotiations were completed in February 2016 and has yet to enter into force.[10]

Drug trafficking

It has been reported that the Sinaloa Cartel had operatives in Australia and were behind a number of significant cocaine hauls intercepted by Australian authorities.[11] In 2011, the Sinaloa cartel attempted to set up an outpost in Sydney but were thwarted by a police operation.[12]

In 2014, it was reported that "Violent Mexican cartels with links to Australian crime gangs are infiltrating the nation's illicit drug trade." The chief of the Australian Crime Commission said 'Recently, we've seen the emergence of Mexican cartel activity within Australia" [13][14] the Crime Commission also noted "Mexican criminals have become more prevalent as principals in the importation and supply of cocaine and associated money laundering" in Australia. [15]

In May 2015, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime warned that Mexican drug cartels were targeting criminals in Australia to import ice into the country. The Office said cartels were involved in trafficking methamphetamine and were actively seeking partners in Australia. [16][17]

Resident diplomatic missions

Australian embassy in Mexico City, Mexico.
Mexican embassy in Canberra, Australia.

References

  1. ↑ "MANUAL DE ORGANIZACIÓN DE LA EMBAJADA DE MÉXICO EN AUSTRALIA" (PDF). Sre.gob.mx. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Mexico country brief". Dfat.gov.au. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  3. ↑ "Inicio". Embamex.sre.gob.mx. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  4. ↑ Diputados, Dirección del Sistema de Información, Dirección General de Crónica y Gaceta Parlamentaria, Cámara de. "Legislatura XLIX - Año I - Período Ordinario - Fecha 19730901 - Número de Diario: 13". Cronica.diputados.gob.mx. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  5. ↑ "The University of Melbourne, Australia - Australia's best university and one of the world's finest.". Archived from the original on 2015-04-10.
  6. ↑ "Salinas Seeks Australia Trade". Reuters. 26 June 1990 – via The New York Times.
  7. ↑ "Australia to host 2007 APEC summit as focus switches to terror -". Theage.com.au. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  8. 1 2 "Documento sin título". Economia.gob.mx. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  9. ↑ "Mexico country brief". Dfat.gov.au. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  10. ↑ "Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement". Dfat.gov.au. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  11. ↑ "Mexican drug cartel infiltrates Australia". Abc.net.au. 15 September 2010. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  12. ↑ "Mexican drug cartel moves in to Sydney". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  13. ↑ Ltd, Australian News Channel Pty. "Page Not Found". Archived from the original on 2014-10-06.
  14. ↑ "Violent Mexican cartels reach Australia". News.com.au. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  15. ↑ "Kingpin's arrest won't halt drugs to Aust". Sbs.com.au. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  16. ↑ "UN Warns Australia Of Mexican Drug Cartels And Growing Ice Trade". Ibtimes.com.au. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  17. ↑ "Mexican cartels target Aust ice trade". News.com.au. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  18. ↑ "Australian Embassy in Mexico". Mexico.embassy.gov.au. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  19. ↑ "Inicio". Embamex2.sre.gob.mx. Retrieved 2016-10-22.

External links

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