Gov. Jerry Brown to lead trade mission to Mexico in July

Gov. Jerry Brown said Tuesday that he would lead a trade mission to Mexico during the last week of July to strengthen ties with California’s largest export market.

The California Chamber of Commerce is organizing the mission, which will focus on increasing direct investment in the state, connecting state business with new partners and growing economic and environmental cooperation between California and its neighbor to the south.

Brown first mentioned the trade mission in his 2014 State of the State Address.

“Reducing our oil consumption, two-thirds of which is imported by ships and tank cars, will take time, breakthrough technologies and steadfast commitment,” Brown said in that speech. “It will also require that the countries which burn the most fossil fuel join with us. We’ve started building those partnerships with other states and countries like China. We will go to Mexico next. California can’t do this alone.”

The governor’s office said he would be accompanied on the trip by a “diverse delegation of California government, business, economic development, investment and policy leaders.”

In the last year Brown has signed accords with other governors and leaders from Canada, Israel and Peru to combat climate change, strengthen California’s economic ties throughout the world and cooperate on promising research.

patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com