Canada and Mexico hit the reset button Tuesday -- by removing major irritants in the relations between the two nations ahead of Wednesday's trilateral meeting with US President Barack Obama. Canada agreed to lift its controversial visa requirement for Mexican nationals by December 1, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced in a joint press conference with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto in Ottawa, dpa reported. In exchange Mexico agreed to end its 13-year restriction on Canadian beef imports, imposed after a case of mad cow disease was discovered in Canada, by the beginning of October. "This move will make it easier for our Mexican friends to visit Canada while growing our local economies and strengthening our communities," Trudeau said. Canada and Mexico also signed a memorandum of understanding to expand cooperation on indigenous issues, pursue national security collaboration, facilitate student exchanges and work together on international development and climate change, Trudeau said. "The president and I also discussed the need to uphold human rights, advance democracy, and the rule of law, and ensure respect for diversity, as well as the ways in which we can work together to ensure these important goals," he said. Pena Nieto is in Canada on a two-day state visit in advance of Wednesday's North American Leaders' Summit with Trudeau and Obama, dubbed the "Three Amigos Meeting." He is the first Mexican president to visit Canada in 15 years.
