Mexico greets Richardson, doubts NAFTA reopening

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Miami Herald/AP

Posted on Thursday, 12.04.08
Mexico greets Richardson, doubts NAFTA reopening

By MARK STEVENSON
Associated Press Writer

CHOLULA, Mexico -- President-elect Barack Obama's pick for commerce secretary, Bill Richardson, got a warm welcome Thursday during a visit to Mexico, where government officials said they doubted Obama would follow through on a campaign pledge to re-negotiate NAFTA.

The New Mexico governor met with businessmen at the private University of the Americas in Cholula, a town just east of Mexico City, a day after Obama nominated him for the Cabinet post.

A businessman in the crowd called for a round of applause for Richardson's Cabinet selection. Former Mexican Foreign Relations Secretary Ernesto Derbez - who accompanied Richardson - joked of the timing of the visit: "We had it planned."

"It's great to be back in Mexico, great to be at this great university which I've had a long association with," said Richardson, who grew up in Mexico.


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