Mexico, US's next door neighbor

It wasn't very long ago that Mexico was thought of as poor, dangerous and violent.  In the year 2009 over 60% of all reports about Mexico in the US newspapers were unfavorable.  In 2012 a survey that was done showed that only 14% of people in the US said that Mexico was known as a, "good neighbor". 

In 2012 Mexico's economy increased by 3.9& and they were given the nickname the "Aztec tiger" by the Financial Times. Mexico's overall appearance started making a impressive shift from the previous years.  The government elected new leaders who boosted the spirits of the country as well as made other countries around the world take notice.  Thomas Friedman wrote two different articles about Mexico.  These were both about Mexico being an international policy favorite and identified Mexico to be the next country to dominate economic power.  

Mexico continues to be foreign to a lot of Americans who have for a very long time been interested in other continents around the world.  But what they are quickly realizing is that the connection between the United States and Mexico is one of the most important that there is.  It has been twenty years since the signing of (NAFTA) North American Free Trade Agreement between Mexico the US and Canada.  This helped to eliminate the barriers with trading and investment.  This brought the immediate elimination of tax.  Mexico imports more U.S. products than any other country other than Canada in the world and is the third major supplier of oil to the United States.  The Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development now identifies Mexico as having the 14th largest economy in the World.  

For a long time Mexico has been almost like a sleeping giant.  The people that live in Mexico know what is so great about their country and the benefits that Mexico offers to their neighbors and now other countries are starting to see this as well.  They are seeing the strong economic, cultural and agricultural benefits that Mexico has.  They see the strength in the economy and that it continues to get stronger year after year.  Mexico is taking steps all the time to advance in every way possible while still maintaining their ethical values.  When you visit Mexico you see with every turn that family is very important and that the values that are being instilled in the children are going to be the values that the future leaders of the country have. 

Mexico is now building a new reputation. One that is based off of their economic status as well as other things.  Mexico is starting to become known as a country where people move to teach their children a slower way of life.  A way of life that helps teach family values.  A place where people move after retirement to relax.  They are known for their friendly people, beautiful landscapes and booming economy.  The U.S. now has a neighbor that they are taking notice of in new and positive ways.  

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