9 On Your Side Border Watch

Tucson Mayor hopes for big business with Mexico

CREATED Aug. 20, 2012

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  • Tammy Vo reports Video by kgun9.com

    video

  • Rincon Market is an example of several produce items that are imported from Mexico

  • Nogales resident William Monaghan worries that some AZ state leaders have permanently damaged the state's relationship with Mexico

  • Mayor Rothschild says that making Tucson a major Mexican trading partner could "Bring billions of dollars to our local economy."

  • AZ's leaders met with government officials from Guayman, Hermosillo & Mexico City

The Mayor's message to Mexico: Despite a hot political climate, Arizona is a partner and a friend.

Reporter: Tammy Vo

TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Some of Arizona's leaders want to do big business with Mexico, but with Governor Brewer's recent controversial comments, is there a chance that will happen? 

Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild says, it needs to. Right now, Arizona doesn't even make the list of the top five U.S. states that imports and exports with Mexico. In an unprecedented trip to Mexico, Mayor Rothschild, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and Phoenix City Manager David Cavazos delivered key messages to Mexico's leaders about improving trade to benefit both sides.

"I also delivered the message that Tucson is not interested in demonizing Mexico, Mexicans, or people of Mexican descent. We are partners and should work together" said Mayor Rothschild. He added, if Tucson can become the main port for trade with Mexico it could mean more jobs and billions of dollars for our local economy.

Tucson residents think it's a brilliant move. "I definitely agree... and being from California we have to get it to California's level of imports and exports" said David Cohen.

But Nogales resident William Monaghan is skeptical. While he thinks it's a great idea he believes that the damage from some state leaders has been done. "There's a degree of prejudice against Mexican-Americans and Immigrants which is terribly unfair. There's animosity and it's an animosity that is deserved" he said.

Mayor Rothschild said "It's a problem we're going to have to overcome to take advantage of our joint economic interest." He added that right now, several imports and exports are heading from Mexico along a roadway that goes to either Texas or California, not Arizona. He wants to change that as well as create some direct flights between Tucson International Airport and Mexico City.