the top states in the country importing and exporting goods with vehicle reaching 32 billion dollars last year.

Industries topping the list include chemicals, agriculture products, beverages and more as uncertainty rises over the state of U.S. trade relationships.

A delegation of state officials and business leaders when Maikel this week to meet fellow leaders with the goal of street ending their economic partnership.

Joining us are 2 members of the delegation and create that is Christie, George president of CEO of Intersect, Illinois's and Economic Development organization focused on bringing new businesses and investment to Illinois and state Sen Cristina Castro.

Thank you both for joining us.

Senator Castro want to start with you.

Why was it important for you to join a Governor JB Pritzker on this trade mission to Mexico?

>> first off, I was honored to be part of the delegation.

I want to Governor Pritzker as well as Christine George and the rest of intersect on eye as a Mexican American and proud Illinois.

And it was you know, I was elected in 2017 and I was a first make not elected in suburbs.

And I just talks about the role of, you know, Mexican population.

But we major partner with Mexico when it comes to export.

And so it it was an amazing opportunity to go be a part of that, but also for the Mexican delegation that was out there to see like we're here, Illinois's here to business, wants to do more business with medical.

But as a for them, it was very exciting to see many Mexican lawmakers that courses Senator, leader Lisa Hernandez, Representative Hernandez be a part of that.

It show that they also have partners on the other side in the state Illinois.

>> And then we that they exist.

I can imagine.

senator, what did Mexican officials convey?

Would you want to tell the public about?

Look, I think should look like.

>> I was there was a part of many Converse.

As a lawmaker was like, how do we help come to Illinois and do business, Illinois?

And that's one of the things that I was very interested in hearing their perspective.

If there were any barriers, how could he help them reduce those very stark.

We work with intersect and the CEO to even out those barriers so that more folks will invest.

There is willingness to invest and they were very excited to see many of us that part of those conversations, including myself to say here, I'm here to help you.

I'm here be ally for So you ally in Governor JB Pritzker allies and folks that intersect Illinois, as well as the CEO, but also allies in the General Assembly that want you to come and do business here.

And so I think being a part of those conversations, we got to hear their perspectives on things.

They also have got to hear our perspective and see on things but also to realize partners, all from every level of government.

>> And Christie, can you talk about the significance of building state level investments and relationships with partners like Mexico and and to take a trip like this.

>> Absolutely.

It was incredibly important.

I echo Senator Castro's comments.

We have a huge import and export relationship and the success of Illinois depends on relationships like these are economic success.

Depends upon relationships like these.

It's incredibly important for us to be able to strengthen those relationships, which is one of the key reasons why we want.

As you would shared earlier, Mexico is Illinois's 3rd largest in part American car imports last year or roughly 19 billion dollars.

And we Mexico's Illinois, second largest export market, Illinois expert nearly 13 billion to Mexico last year.

So it's incredibly important that engage in those relationships.

Have such a strong connection helps us.

We have nearly 3,000 Mexican companies operating in Illinois.

companies like Grupo or be a tele marker presion and to add to Senator Castro's comments, we have 1.7 million Mexican American residents here in Illinois.

So it's incredibly important that were there and that we stand with them during this time of uncertainty in Crystal, would you say was the biggest thing you took away from this trip?

>> You know that collaboration is so incredibly important, particularly during these times of uncertainty.

You know, the Lieutenant Governor said it fast.

She quoted in a meeting with a business.

She said, you know, when the roots run deep, there's no reason to fear the wind and what was so incredibly important.

So powerful in that moment was showing that that level of partnership, that level of collaboration, that level of feeling like family.

That that was real for us.

And that's that's real to our partners in Mexico and to make sure that they felt it that we were able to be there.

Look them in the eye and say that we're with you.

That is that was paramount coming out of this trap.

>> And talking about partnership, Senator Castor, you joined the governor's.

He signed the Illinois Mexico sister, state memorandum of understanding with the Mexico State.

Governor, can you tell us more about the purpose of this agreement?

>> It wasn't.

The purpose of the is obviously reaffirming something that will sign 3, 5, years ago.

Right?

And it also reaffirms partnership with that no matter what's going on at the federal government, we are here and we're going to continue to be partners and we are going to find solutions no matter what troubling coming out of Washington.

And that's me speaking, of course.

And so I think one of the things is like we're formation and what the governor of City was very appreciative of the fact that there enormous delegation that was there to stand with her and say, hey, we're going to continue the businesses open Illinois.

And we're here to be a partner.

She was very grateful to all of us and obviously to intersect and everyone that was there foster relationships.

In Christie Pritzker said uncertainty could lead to less investment from Michael.

Do you agree?

>> Absolutely.

I agree with.

and but what I would say is that we were able to strengthen our partnerships with so many different Mexican companies during our trade mission.

We're able to pitch wrecked.

Leach have 50 major Mexican companies.

We held networking receptions where we talked about opportunities to invest in Illinois to over 300 contacts from Mexico.

Mexican companies as well as different site selectors.

So it was really an opportunity to make sure folks down in Mexico knew that Illinois was open for business and that we're a fantastic place to invest in.

But absolutely.

I agree with the governor that additional tariffs could lead decreased global trade obviously decreased investment.

>> Well, thank you both for sharing your experience.

And I think I mentioned Senator, I hope both of you.

That's good tackle.

So thank you for