Mexico’s Commerce Secretary to Visit L.A.

Herminio Blanco, Mexico’s commerce and industrial development secretary, makes the first U.S. visit of a high-ranking Mexican official since that country’s historic presidential election when he arrives in Los Angeles on Thursday to deliver a speech on the legacy of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Blanco will also discuss how President-elect Vicente Fox’s economic plans are expected to affect U.S.-Mexico trade relations. Fox made history July 2 when he won Mexico’s presidency and ended the 71-year reign of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Blanco, a member of the outgoing PRI administration, is expected to discuss how Mexico’s embrace of open market economic policies under NAFTA has transformed the Mexican economy and boosted trade relations between his country and the United States. His remarks, sponsored by Town Hall Los Angeles, are scheduled for noon at the Los Angeles Marriott downtown. For more information, call (213) 628-8141.