7 Things Chris Christie Did in Mexico

By Veronica Stracqualursi September 5, 2014

(Tim Larsen/Governor's Office)

From eating at a traditional Mexico City taqueria to inking trade and education deals, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has been cruising around Mexico City all week, tweeting and Instagramming. It's a three-day trade mission trip, ending today, in which Christie said he's listening and learning, and declining to speak Spanish because, as he told AP this week, "I never have been really good at foreign languages."

1. AVOIDED TAKING POSITION ON IMMIGRATION, UNTIL HE'S A CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT

Dodging questions from the media about immigration overhaul, 51, Christie would not talk about his views on the issue. That time will come, he told reporters Thursday, "if and when I become a candidate for president of the United States." Christie has reportedly been more reserved than usual on his Mexico trip.

2. MET WITH PRESIDENT ENRIQUE PENA NIETO

In what proved to be a nice photo-op, Christie, who traveled with a translator, shook hands with Mexico's president the first day of his trade mission. Christie and Nieto met last year at a conference in Idaho, where Nieto invited Christie to Mexico.

3. SIGNED A HIGHER EDUCATION PACT

The agreement Christie signed at the Secretariat of Public Education in Mexico City will promote student exchanges, fellowship programs and online educational programs. "This partnership will help solidify a vibrant exchange of academic, cultural and professional ideas between New Jersey and Mexico," Christie said.

Tim Larsen/Governor's Office

4. GOT IN TOUCH WITH NJ CONSTITUENTS' ROOTS

Christie's trip to Puebla today was interesting because it's the hometown of many of New Jersey's Mexican-American families. The Associated Press reported that Christie invited Puebla Gov. Rafael Valle to visit Passaic, New Jersey, where many Puebla immigrants live. The visit was seen as an effort by Christie to appeal to Latino voters in 2016.

5. PUSHED FOR KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE TO BE "DONE TODAY"

"My view is that we are missing an enormous opportunity when we delay development of the Keystone XL Pipeline," Christie said in his address at the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico. He believes that Keystone will create jobs, drive down the price of oil and grow the U.S. gas trade with Mexico.

6. RUBBED ELBOWS WITH MEXICAN CEOS

Christie talked business over breakfast with about 25 members of the Mexican Business Council. It was a closed-door meeting in which Christie said he talked about expanding New Jersey's relationship with business leaders that would benefit both the Garden State and Mexico.

7. ACTED LIKE A TRUE TOURIST

While in Mexico City, Christie tried authentic Mexican tacos at Taco El Caminero and met with the owner (shown in the picture below). He praised the local taqueria, saying, "If you're ever in Mexico City, it should be on your list." And on the second day, Christie, who's Catholic, took a tour of one of the most famous religious sites, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Tim Larsen/Governor's Office