### Ken Salazar Open to Dialogue on Judicial Reform; Ebrard Urges to Protect USMCA – TJGringo.com
**Ken Salazar’s Willingness to Discuss Judicial Reform**
On August 23, 2024, Kenneth Lee Salazar, the United States Ambassador to Mexico, expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue with Mexican leadership regarding the direct election of judges and to exchange views on different models, including retention elections. This statement came after President Andrés Manuel López Obrador criticized Salazar’s earlier remarks as disrespectful and imprudent.
Salazar had previously voiced concerns about the judicial reform proposal sent by López Obrador to the Mexican Congress on February 5, which included the direct election of judges. He warned that this reform could pose risks to democracy and economic integration.
“The concerns I expressed about the direct election of judges are in the spirit of collaboration. As partners, we seek honest and open dialogue to continue the significant democratic and economic progress we have made,” Salazar wrote on social media. The former U.S. Interior Secretary emphasized the importance of communication in achieving shared goals in security and trade relations.
**Ebrard’s Emphasis on Protecting the USMCA**
On the same day, Marcelo Ebrard, former Mexican Foreign Minister, stressed the importance of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) as the best business deal among the three nations and urged not to jeopardize it. He noted that Mexico had always respected the internal processes of its partners and argued that the judicial reform should not affect the agreement.
Ebrard, expected to become the Secretary of Economy under President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum starting October 1, 2024, declared that the USMCA review is a separate process scheduled to conclude in 2026. He affirmed that both Mexico and the U.S. need to defend, protect, and strengthen the agreement, especially with the growing competition from Asia.
In reference to U.S. President Joe Biden’s own plans for judicial reform, Ebrard suggested that each country should focus on their internal changes. He reiterated that Mexico would decide its own course and questioned how the U.S.—a country with a long history of electing judges—could see this as a threat to democracy.
—
### Legal and Economic Implications: Additional Insights
In related news, the debate over judicial reform in Mexico aligns with a broader context of legal and economic implications. According to reports, Mexico and the U.S. have worked to strengthen their partnership through various agreements and initiatives, focusing on mutual benefits in trade and security.
Recent statements from economic and political analysts underscore the critical timing of these discussions. With the USMCA review approaching and both countries facing economic pressures, maintaining a robust and cooperative relationship is more crucial than ever. Analysts emphasize that the stability of the USMCA is vital for economic growth and development in North America.
Additionally, business leaders on both sides of the border have called for calm and constructive dialogue. They argue that political and judicial reforms should be pursued with careful consideration of their broader impact on international relations and economic agreements.
These developments will likely continue to shape the political and economic landscape in North America in the coming years. The outcomes of these discussions could set important precedents for future reforms and international collaborations.
**Stay tuned to TJGringo.com for more updates on this evolving story and other significant news.**