Nashville Standard

United States Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Katie Britt (R-AL), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) have sent a letter to Alicia Bárcena, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, urging her to address the Mexican government's alleged mistreatment of Alabama-based Vulcan Materials Company.

This week marks two years since the Mexican government allegedly illegally invaded and shut down Vulcan’s deep-water port in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Since then, Mexican President Lopez Obrador has reportedly threatened to forcibly take over Vulcan’s port and limestone quarry, forcing their operations out of Mexico. This is despite the company's consistent presence in Mexico for more than 35 years.

“I strongly condemn the actions taken by President López Obrador to illegally seize the lawful assets of Vulcan Materials Company, which has been operating in Mexico since the 1980s,” said Senator Hagerty. “President López Obrador’s actions towards this company have undermined the rule of law, diplomatic norms, and economic, trade, and investment relations within North America. This unacceptable situation has been met with a strong bipartisan rebuke in the Senate, and I urge the Biden Administration to immediately press the Mexican government to reverse course.”

“Alabama is proud to be home to the world-renowned Vulcan Materials Company,” said Senator Tuberville. “Vulcan has provided good-paying jobs to thousands of Americans since its founding more than 100 years ago. The Mexican government’s hostility toward Vulcan is unwarranted and jeopardizes the long-standing bilateral relationship between Mexico and the U.S. I will continue fighting for American businesses' prosperity and hope this situation will be resolved quickly and fairly.”

“President López Obrador’s conduct threatening Vulcan’s lawful operations in Mexico has consistently been unacceptable under Mexican law and international law,” said Senator Britt. “Key infrastructure projects in Alabama and across Southeastern United States continue to be in jeopardy because of this Mexican presidential administration’s lawlessness. I will always stand up for Alabama’s and America’s economic and security interests, and I urge the Mexican government to find a constructive path forward that will not threaten further degradation in the U.S.-Mexico bilateral relationship.”

The Senators have previously urged President Joe Biden to take action against the Mexican government's moves to expropriate the property of U.S. companies with investments and operations in Mexico. They have also pressed Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the seizure by Mexican military troops and civilian authorities of Vulcan Materials Company’s assets in Mexico.

In their letter, they implored President López Obrador to halt harmful actions against American companies’ lawfully owned assets in Mexico, noting that these unlawful actions violate agreements made between the two countries under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and jeopardize a key U.S. trade relationship.