For 200 years, Philadelphia has been an important part of the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico

When José Manuel Zozaya y Bermúdez presented his credentials as Extraordinary Envoy and Minister Plenipotentiary to President James Monroe on Dec. 12, 1822, it would have been hard to imagine that two young nations — Mexico and the United States — would create one of the most productive partnerships in the world.

Earlier this month, Mexico and the United States celebrated 200 years of diplomatic ties. While there have been highs and lows in our two centuries of shared history, the relationship between Mexico and the U.S. has become an international example of cooperation between neighbors. And Philadelphia has been an important part of that relationship.

In 1826, Mexico’s second consulate in the United States was established in Philadelphia. Soon after, Mexico became the city’s fifth-largest commercial partner, with trade primarily of raw materials.

Philadelphia also played a critical role as a hub of free speech used to condemn acts of tyranny and advocate for social liberalism. It was in Philadelphia where, in 1821 — barely a month before Mexico would consolidate its independence from Spain — the priest Fray Servando Teresa de Mier first published his Memoria politico-instructiva, a text still reviewed as an impassioned attack on monarchy and a defense of republicanism.

In 1826, Philadelphia printer William Stavely published Xicoténcatl, an anonymous novel that denounced Spanish colonialism, which was still prevalent in the continent, by telling the story of the events leading up to the conquest of the Aztec Empire. Additionally, Mexico was one of 37 nations present at Philadelphia’s 1876 “Centennial Exhibition,” a showcase of industrial innovation celebrating the hundredth anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

Today, both the U.S. and Mexico are democracies who share a 2,000-mile border and trade more than $725 billion in goods and services between them. Mexico is the most popular destination for U.S. travelers. In Pennsylvania, Mexican companies generate more than 16,500 jobs, in addition to the 194,000 positions supported by $11.3 billion in bilateral trade.

Trade with Mexico also supports more than 141,000 jobs in New Jersey and more than 15,000 jobs in Delaware in the automotive, chemical, and electronic industries. Both Delaware and New Jersey are within the Consulate of Mexico in Philadelphia’s jurisdiction.

Many local businesses also depend on the leadership and workforce commitment of Mexican men and women, who represent a significant part of the region’s Latino population (over 350,000 people, according to the consulate’s internal data and the latest census).

Our mutual economic ties in the tristate area run deep. And so does our shared culture. Philadelphians flocked to the September celebration of Mexican independence held at Penn’s Landing, helped build a Day of the Dead altar at LOVE Park, and attended Mexican films presented by the Mexican Cultural Center.

The first 200 years of diplomatic relations between our countries offer us an opportunity to look at all our exceptional past achievements, as well as how to overcome joint challenges — including migration, environmental protection, climate change, and public health.

Here in Philadelphia, the Consulate of Mexico has partnered with some of the city’s academic institutions to host events throughout 2023 and do precisely that: honor a long-standing shared history, enrich our vibrant community and consider the challenges ahead.

We invite all of Philadelphia to join us.

Carlos Obrador Garrido is consul of Mexico in Philadelphia.