Analysis: Bush's first foreign trip

The two presidents are both new to office

By Philippa Thomas in Leon, Mexico

The circus was coming to town. Literally. A splendid big top with blue curtains and silver stars was going up on a plot of land near the Mexican headquarters of the White House press, as we worked on our reports about the first foreign trip of US President George W Bush.

There was much mutual admiration, smiles and back-slapping

It seemed a nice counterpart to the madness that is a presidential motorcade abroad: a stream of flag-flying limos flanked by massed security, followed by busloads of journalists.

All this for a trip that lasted just a matter of hours.

It was a nice easy start for Mr Bush. His foreign experience is limited he is learning on the job.

But the former governor of Texas does know his stuff when it comes to Mexico, and the US-Mexican border that stretches more than 2,000 miles across the American continent.

Common bond

The agenda for his meeting on President Vicente Fox's ranch at San Cristobal ranged wide - from drugs and immigration problems, to the energy industry, and the goal of free trade.

What is more, Mr Bush and Mr Fox have much in common, and not just their fondness for life on the ranch, informal shirtsleeves and monogrammed cowboy boots.

They are both new to office. They are both proud of their entrepreneurial backgrounds - Mr Bush in oil and Mr Fox with Coca-Cola.

And they do share a vision of Mexico's economic future.

This was not an especially challenging meeting

As George W Bush likes to say, the long-term solution to Mexico's problems is trade.

Mexico has already edged out Japan as the second largest trading partner for the United States.

After the near collapse of the Mexican peso six years ago, the nation is experiencing significant economic growth.

Presidents Fox and Bush want to keep it that way. As White House officials put it, they want the region's economy to prove just as much of a magnet south as north of the borderline.

Further talks

So out in the sunshine by the ranch-house, all was sweetness and harmony. The two leaders broke with tradition by discarding not only jackets but ties. There was much mutual admiration, smiles and back-slapping.

Only the sound of soaring violins was absent, as Mr Fox declared: "Mr President, I want you to know I consider you a friend of Mexico, a friend of the Mexican people, and a friend of mine."

What was achieved?

In terms of firm resolutions and tangible targets, not much. But the White House is right to be delighted with the tone that was set.

There is clearly good personal chemistry between the two men.

They have committed themselves to top-level talks on immigration and drugs, and they have declared themselves ready to meet face to face whenever the need arises.

Dealing with the rest of the world will be more challenging for the president - as we have been reminded by the allied air strikes on Iraq. But his staff believe they have achieved all they hoped during this first day abroad.

And Mr Bush is already making clear his differences with the globe-trotting Bill Clinton, emphasising time and again his belief that "the best foreign policy starts at home".