Summit of the Americas to Tackle Migration, Threats to Democracy, Miami Advisor Says
Summit of the Americas to Tackle Migration, Threats to Democracy, Miami Advisor Says
"There is still time to develop a meaningful trade agenda for Los Angeles if efforts begin now," said AS/COA's Eric Farnsworth to the Miami Herald.
The Biden administration will use the upcoming Summit of the Americas to address some of the most pressing challenges in the region, including migration, threats to democracy and economic recovery from the pandemic, said Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, one of two former members of Congress tapped by the White House to lead the planning efforts as special advisors.
The focus on democratic governance, human rights and countering disinformation in the region comes at a time Russia’s war in Ukraine has instilled a new sense of urgency in the administration’s efforts ahead of the summit. […]
“Trade is the dog that hasn’t yet barked during Summit preparations,” said Eric Farnsworth, a former White House and State Department official who was involved in organizing the first Summit of the Americas, hosted in Miami in 1994.
Trade, he said, helps “build economies to reduce migration, lowers inflation for U.S. consumers, and effectively counters Chinese influence across the region. It’s smart foreign and domestic economic policy. There is still time to develop a meaningful trade agenda for Los Angeles if efforts begin now. The appointment of special Summit envoys offers this hope.”…
