Get a comprehensive insider’s take from Mexico News Daily’s new opinion columnist, who has 30 years of diplomacy experience, about Mexico’s rising place on the world stage.
The grandson of Catalan and Armenian refugees in Mexico, Arturo Sarukhan has had a distinguished education and career, serving as Mexico’s ambassador to the U.S. (2007-2013), at the forefront of international strategic decisions in advisory roles in both Mexico and the U.S.
Currently based in Washington, D.C., he writes about international issues in a biweekly column for El Universal newspaper, contributes op-eds in U.S. media, and has a weekly radio show on Enfoque Noticias and a program on Milenio TV in Mexico. He was also included on the list of global leaders published by Monocle magazine, and was on “The 300 Most Influential Mexican Leaders” list of Líderes Mexicanos magazine for five years.
What makes your point of view unique as an expert on Mexico-U.S. relations?
I have spent most of my academic and diplomatic life dedicated to understanding and studying the US and, as an emissary, seeking to turn the Mexico-U.S. relationship into a true strategic association for both peoples and nations.
Why are you so passionate about Mexico-U.S. relations?
No two nations are so singularly relevant to each other’s wellbeing, prosperity and security than Mexico and the US. And we will succeed or fail as nations together.
What excites you about Mexico’s rising visibility & prominence on the global stage?
The sheer potential, particularly when you put it in the context of North America’s promise as a region in the 21st Century. But I am nonetheless concerned about Mexico’s global prominence due to important mistakes and miscalculations in the international arena by the current Mexican government.
How do you hope the world sees Mexico differently in the coming 1-2 years?
That the real strength and resilience of Mexico lies in its people. The country has significant and real challenges, no doubt about that, and the country, its institutions and its people need to tackle them head on. And it will always face a tension between continuity -with its history, traditions, identity- and change, as it continues to modernize and hopefully take advantage of the once-in-a-generation opportunities that lie ahead, particularly in the North American space.
Why is it important that people living in Mexico follow the U.S. presidential election?
The U.S. is Mexico’s number one trading partner, with US$1.5 billion dollars of trade per day going in both directions, we have a 3,000 km contiguous land border, there are 37.2 million people of Mexican origin living in the US. And because contrary to Las Vegas, what happens in the U.S. doesn’t stay in the U.S.! Should I go on?
Why is it important that people globally follow the Mexico presidential election?
As the 13th largest economy in the world today and poised to be the 7th by 2050 (if it, of course, makes the right policy decisions), Mexico will face a critical and stark choice; to double down, or to correct course and pull a U-turn on a number of public policies issues that will ensure that Mexico stops punching below its weight in the international arena and meets its true potential.
What inspired you to contribute to Mexico News Daily?
It has a fresh and forward-leaning approach in explaining Mexico to the world, and it is nimble, lean and hungry to make an impact in terms of how Mexico is viewed and understood among English-speaking and international audiences.
Why do you recommend that someone read Mexico News Daily?
Mexico is certainly not for beginners. So it’s one-stop-shopping for anyone interested in a whole-of-Mexico approach to the country, and it is driven by a genuine and deep mission to translate Mexico — and all things Mexico — to international and in-country expat audiences.
What are you most optimistic about for Mexico in the coming year?
Geography (despite the wishes of some on either side of the US-Mexico border, you can’t press Control Alt Delete and make one or the other country disappear) is destiny; the resilience of its institutions; and the huge potential of its people.
Why should people globally spend time in Mexico, or spend time learning about Mexico?
Well, I am most likely not going to be objective here, but as one of the millennial cultures in the world, it is one of the most fascinating, culturally and historically significant, rich and biodiverse nations on the globe.
Where are your favorite places to visit in Mexico and why?
Mexico City, for any art and architecture lover and foodie is a must, but I have a weak spot for both the city and state of Oaxaca. It is a microcosmos of the nation at large.
If you could describe your career in two words, what would they be and why?
Rule-breaker; combative. I suffer those who address any challenge or problem with the phrase “that’s not the way things have been done”, and have always fought for what I believe in.
Do you have a favorite quote or mantra?
Maybe two: ‘Be vulnerable, be courageous, and find comfort in the uncomfortable’.
And, ‘You only fail when you stop trying’.
Hear from Ambassador Sarakhan in his upcoming regular opinion column on Mexico-U.S. relations for Mexico News Daily. Don’t miss his take as an expert at the forefront of Mexico’s progress on the international stage – starting Tuesday, Oct. 24.
Kudos to MND for attracting such an accomplished contributor. I look forward to reading and learning from his columns.
Agree with you Peter and thans for saying so.
I look forward to reading the pieces he shares with MND.
I am terribly disappointed you would engage an appointee of Felipe Calderon to write political pieces for Mexico New Daily. This extremely conservative, stupid politician is one of Mexico’s most corrupt and disrespected former presidents. I would think you would be eager to attract new readers rather than drive them away. Are you seeking to establish your publication as a far right-wing newsletter?
Gee Julie, they print a piece with “opinion” labels and disclaimers of non-affiliation all over the place and you’re seeing visions of Adolf.
And for the record I can probably name a dozen ex-Presidente’s de Mexico that were much worse than Calderon. I’m disturbed by your accusation that he was “most corrupt”. That’s simply not the record and ask you to provide some source(s) for this accusation.
Bravo. This kind of opinion is much needed for each country to understand one another. I look forward to reading Mr Sarukhan’s opinion on a regular basis.
I can’t wait to read his columns!
Sarukhan should help MDN seem less like a MX Sunset Magazine.
Best reply of the bunch!
I certainly look forward to reading Sarukhan.
. . . I am looking forward to the insights, “ahead of the curve” insights so to speak . . .
I hope Sarukhan can share some solutions…OR options in dealing with the Massive Corruption in Mexico and The Cartels growing presence and power in the country. These two areas is what could STOP Mexico from becoming
the Country it could become. The potential is there BUT the execution is questionable ??
It is valuable having contributors of diverse political leanings, so if MDN wants to keep a balanced approach, I would encourage to invite another contributor with a different approach than Sarukhan. The current Mexican government is restoring the dignity of the country, its institutions, and its people. I’m optimistic about the future of Mexico!
Agreed Mercedes Tune! Thanks for this encouraging comment. We love to provide balanced coverage and opinions and have some other contributing columnists in the running.
Editors really watching the comments section. Good sign!
I generally agree with the author, but it’s always important to hear all sides. Sorry to generalise, but Americans aren’t very good at that.
Each other should sign off their articles with an email address. All articles should be an exchange of ideas. Many readers are as will educated as the writers and can add to what the writers write. Sometimes, authors make mistakes. Letters to the editors is such an outmoded format in this age of instantaneous conversations. Articles in MND should be a conversation, not authors talking down to the reader. There is so much knowledge out on the net, one never has their hands on anything but 1%.
I too look forward to his comments and analyses. I was not a Calderon enthusiast but there is no proof he was as an equal believer. There is room for debate. Let’s move ahead not backward.
To get a real look at some of the issues, it helps to live in Mexico, and NOT in an ex-pat community. Mexico has an To become
A larger positive contributing part of North America . First they have to pay their people a living wage….you can’t live on the wages paid in Mexico….The rich want it all,
More, More, and More !!! People go North for economic reasons…. Everyone needs to benefit from the new factories/jobs coming into the Country, NOT just one group…give the youth an alternative to getting involved in the Cartels… again economic !!
I have lived there 22 years !! Mexico has so much potential But question is, can Pull it off… NOT without some changes