Sec. of State Rex Tillerson calls for modernizing NAFTA in UT Austin speech on eve of Latin American visits

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Published:
February 27, 2018

U.S. Secretary of State and UT alum Rex Tillerson discussed modernizing NAFTA during a Feb. 1 event on the UT Austin campus hosted by the Clements Center for National Security and the Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law. Tillerson’s presentation, “U.S. Engagement in the Western Hemisphere,” was also co-sponsored by the LBJ School of Public Affairs and the LBJ Presidential Library. During his remarks, Tillerson, who earned a B.S. of Science degree in civil engineering from UT Austin in 1975, touched on strengthening ties with Latin American countries to improve economic growth, security and democratic governance. He focused on Venezuela’s current troubles, which he said calls for a holistic approach that addresses both security and development issues. Tillerson’s stop in Austin was one of many on his weeklong trip to several Latin American countries. For more, watch a video of Sec. Tillerson’s address.