Mexico City - US President Barack Obama is set to visit Mexico on April 16-17, the Mexican government said Wednesday.

Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon are set to discuss "several matters in the hemispheric and global agenda that are of interest to both nations, particularly taking into account the active participation of both countries in several regional and global forums," said Max Cortazar, spokesman for the Mexican Presidency.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is to visit Mexico on March 25-26 for meeting with Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa.

Obama's visit to Mexico comes at a time of tension between the two countries over matters related to trade and the fight against drug trafficking.

Mexico has just decided to apply tariffs to 90 products it imports from the United States, as retaliation after its northern neighbour banned entry to US territory to Mexican transport, allowed by the North American Free-Trade Agreement
(NAFTA).

Further, Mexico is angry at the US decision to cut assistance agreed to by both countries to help Mexico fight organized crime gangs, particularly those active in drug trafficking.

Mexican authorities stressed that drug trafficking exists because there is a consumption market for it in the United States.

Beyond these two thorny issues, Mexico would like to see a bilateral deal on orderly migration, to prevent a large number of people from risking their lives to cross over to the United States illegally in search of better work and living conditions. (dpa)