Distant Neighbors or Regional Partners? Insights from the U.S.-Mexico Border
In the wake of two consequential elections, the United States and Mexico stand at a pivotal crossroads. Though Claudia Sheinbaum and Donald Trump began their respective presidential terms just months apart, their early actions—and starkly different approaches—have already begun to reshape the bilateral relationship. Sheinbaum, Mexico’s first female president, has voiced longstanding concerns over border sovereignty, energy policies, and U.S. overreach. Trump, in contrast, has moved quickly to impose tariffs, militarize the border, and expand deportation efforts, signaling a confrontational tone.
In response to these historic transitions, the Mexico Studies Program at the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies (DRCLAS) convened a two-day symposium titled Distant Neighbors or Regional Partners? to explore the future of this complex and interdependent relationship. Organized by professors Diane E. Davis and Gabriela Soto Laveaga, the event brought together scholars, public officials, entrepreneurs, and artists to reflect not only on policy but on the lived realities at the border—where bodies, resources, and ideas flow in ways that unite and divide.
In her opening remarks, Gabriela Soto Laveaga, Professor of the History of Science and Antonio Madero Professor for the Study of Mexico and Co-Chair of the DRCLAS Mexico Studies Program, introduced the conference with a nod to the event’s student-designed visual identity, Love Despite Barriers—a symbol of resilience and human connection that transcends national divisions. She noted that while the symposium was conceived with the expectation of leadership change by 2025, the rapid pace of political developments has far exceeded expectations.
While panelists brought diverse perspectives to the table, from energy policy and entrepreneurship to Indigenous rights and cultural diplomacy, a shared vision for the future emerged—one grounded in cooperation, long-term thinking, and a renewed focus on human dignity.
Several panelists emphasized that political instability, while disruptive, can also open the door to innovation. Montserrat Ramiro, an expert in energy and environmental policy, argued that short economic cycles, uncertainty in U.S.-China relations, and weak regulatory frameworks in both Mexico and the United States have made business more difficult—but also created space for reimagining collaboration. She called for more transparent, consistent institutions that can enable meaningful cooperation in sectors like trade, energy, and climate response.
Others pointed out that local communities and private actors are increasingly stepping in where national governments fall short. Damián Morales, co-founder of Insurgente Brewing, described how businesses in Tijuana are employing and integrating migrants, becoming unexpected drivers of social inclusion. Similarly, David Favela, founder of Border X Brewing and Mujeres Brew House, underscored the role of small businesses in building cultural and economic bridges. For him, the border is not just a place of division, but a platform for connection and creativity.
Throughout the conversation, panelists urged the audience to center the human experience in discussions about U.S.-Mexico relations. Christina Leza, a Yaqui anthropologist, offered a powerful account of how Indigenous communities experience the border—not as a fixed geopolitical boundary, but as an everyday disruption to ancestral ties and traditions. Meanwhile, Nina Ebner shared sobering statistics from Ciudad Juárez, where 60% of factory workers still do not earn enough to support their families. Her remarks were a reminder that beneath conversations about regional trade and nearshoring are real people navigating economic insecurity and limited labor protections.
A unifying theme throughout the discussions was the power of narrative to shape both policy and reality. At a panel on Border Dynamics, moderator Rafael Fernández de Castro described the border as a “lab for globalization,” noting the recent decline in crossing numbers and emphasizing the importance of binational social and economic cooperation. Panelists spotlighted grassroots efforts—such as the NGO Al Otro Lado’s work on policy solutions that go beyond enforcement, and Teddy Cruz and Fonna Forman’s architectural collaboration with the migrant shelter Embajadores de Jesús—as examples of cross-border innovation. Artist Benito del Águila, founder of the Rosarito Artwalk and the initiative The Line That Unites Us, illustrated how creative expression can challenge division and foster solidarity. Journalist Alfredo Corchado reinforced this idea by sharing stories of resilience from the borderlands, demonstrating how personal storytelling can counter dehumanizing rhetoric and shift public perception.
Together, the conference painted a picture of a region at a crossroads—not just politically, but socially and culturally. While national policies may ebb and flow, the connections between people, communities, and ideas endure. For a more equitable and integrated North America, the path forward must be shaped not just by political leaders, but by the many voices working across borders every day to build something better.
In a moment marked by uncertainty and tension, this symposium provided not only diagnosis but direction—pointing to cooperation, cultural diplomacy, and long-term thinking as essential tools for building a more equitable and integrated North America.
About the Organizers
Diane E. Davis, Charles Dyer Norton Professor of Regional Planning and Urbanism at Harvard, is a globally recognized scholar on urban governance and development. Her research spans topics such as urban violence and sovereignty in Latin America and East Asia, and she co-leads CIFAR’s Humanity’s Urban Future Program. Davis is also Co-chair of the DRCLAS Faculty Committee for the Mexico Studies Program.
Gabriela Soto Laveaga, Professor of the History of Science and Antonio Madero Professor for the Study of Mexico, is a prize-winning historian whose work explores science, medicine, and agriculture in modern Latin America. A member of the Academia Mexicana de la Historia and Co-chair of the Mexico Studies Program, she also chairs the Latinidad and Global Diasporas initiative at DRCLAS.