Mexico City, February 20 (RHC) -- Demonstrators clashed with police in the Mexican city of Toluca, near the capital, Mexico City, on Wednesday, just ahead of the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama to the 6th Summit of North American Leaders.

The protesters, who belonged to different organizations, said trade negotiations between Mexico City and Washington favor only U.S. workers and businesses.

Obama’s attendance at the trilateral summit coincided with the 20th anniversary of the formation of a continental trade bloc between Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, known as the North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA.

The protest was held hours before Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper met with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto in Toluca to discuss the expansion of trade along with regional security, economic development and immigration reforms.