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By KELIN DILLON

In a meeting with the U.S. Foreign Relations Committee of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, June 12, U.S. Undersecretary of State Brian Nichols cautioned U.S. Congress against the potential ramifications Mexico’s controversial proposed judicial reforms could have on the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Following questioning by Arizona Congressman Gregg Stanton, Nichols signaled that government transparency must be preserved in Mexico no matter the outcome of its judicial reform.

“Obviously Mexico is a sovereign country and has procedures that they can use to change their legal framework,” said Nichols at the time. “We believe that judicial transparency is vital for all investors, whether national, Mexican or international investors, but particularly those from the United States and Canada as partners of the USMCA.”

“We will continue to insist that, whatever the future legal regime in Mexico, all signatories of the USMCA respect the foreign investment protection provisions contained in that agreement,” added the Undersecretary of State.

While Stanton challenged Nichols on Mexico’s ability to overcome challenges related to accepting nearshoring into the country, particularly concerns with controlling organized crime and reshaping its energy policies, Nichols reminded the Arizona lawmaker of Mexico’s position as one of the top recipients of foreign investment worldwide.

“President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum is a scientist who has worked in one of the laboratories of the United States Department of Energy and we believe that we have a persuasive case if we demonstrate with data, scientifically, the importance of these issues,” concluded Nichols during his congressional testimony.