QUERÉTARO, QRO. – With the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) on the horizon and an increasingly competitive international environment, Mexico must prepare itself with intelligence, coordination, and a long-term vision to strengthen its position in North America , specialists agreed at the panel “ Connecting Markets: Disruptive Strategies for Successful Trade . ”
The meeting, held within the framework of the XXXI Mexican Foreign Trade Congress , organized by the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (Comce Nacional) , put on the table the issues that will mark the Mexican trade agenda towards 2026: subnational diplomacy, tariff policy, regional competitiveness, talent and technological transition .
States, key in the USMCA review
Marco Antonio Del Prete Tercero, head of the Secretariat of Sustainable Development of Querétaro , stressed that state governments play a strategic role in strengthening production chains and economic diplomacy.
“We are promoting regional integration in eight areas of the country, the development of suppliers, and the professionalization of public officials in foreign trade,” he emphasized.
The official recalled that the 32 heads of economic development recently met at the invitation of the Ministry of Economy , headed by Marcelo Ebrard, to define state contributions in preparation for the treaty review.
“Each state must contribute what makes it strong; the country is diverse, and in that diversity lies our strength,” he stated.
For his part, Kenneth Smith , president of the Mexico-United States Bilateral Business Committee of Comce and partner of AGON , warned that, although the USMCA does not automatically contemplate a renegotiation, there are clear signs from Washington that point towards a deep review under the new US administration.
“Mexico must be ready for an administrative review or even a partial renegotiation. The private sector can support the government with information and proposals in bilateral consultations,” he explained.
Smith considered it would be “ideal to reach the review process in 2026 without tariff pressures” and acknowledged the importance of aligning trade and security policies to maintain the principle of free trade.
“Mexico’s position must be clear: to maintain free and competitive trade that strengthens North American production chains in the face of China,” he stressed.
Automotive sector: an example of regional success
For Francisco González Díaz , executive president of the National Auto Parts Industry (INA) , the auto parts sector is the best reflection of the success of integration in North America.
“The future of the sector is extraordinary. Electromobility, artificial intelligence, and added value will redefine automotive manufacturing, and Mexico is ready to lead that transition,” he stated.
González revealed that INA works with the World Bank , Bancomext and the Mexican Association of Private Industrial Parks (AMPIP) to train suppliers and certify companies, with an emphasis on technical talent and micro-credentials.
“It’s no longer just about assembling, but about designing and developing technologies. Today, Mexico is part of the global innovation ecosystem,” he noted.
For his part, Del Prete maintained that education is the foundation of economic development.
“We train more than five thousand engineers a year in Querétaro. The challenge is to move from ‘pressing the button’ to designing it. Only then will we be competitive,” he commented.
The official highlighted that Querétaro is committed to new industries, such as aerospace, data centers and space , with a focus on sustainability and technological innovation.
“We want innovation, logistics, supplier development and environmental care to be part of a new stage: moving from local pride to global leadership,” he added.
Regarding tariff policy, Kenneth Smith warned that raising generalized tariffs can cause more harm than good.
“We must use precision-firing tools – such as anti-dumping measures – and not a ‘shotgun blast’ that affects allied countries like Korea or Brazil,” he explained.
He also proposed moving towards a trilateral trade defense policy and regulatory convergence to address unfair practices in a coordinated manner.
Proactive agenda for USMCA 2.0
Smith outlined four strategic lines that Mexico could promote during the review:
- Sectoral trilateral cooperation in areas such as food, medical equipment and ICT.
- Joint regulation in artificial intelligence.
- Acceleration of renewable energies.
- Real boost to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through mirror financing in the three countries.
González Díaz, in turn, warned that although the term nearshoring has lost prominence, it will return when there is political and regulatory certainty.
“We must prepare ourselves with talent, infrastructure, energy, and legal certainty. If we achieve that, Mexico will be the big winner of this industrial reconfiguration,” he asserted.
The panel made it clear that Mexico faces a crucial juncture: shifting from a defensive stance to a proactive agenda that solidifies its role as a strategic partner in North America. With education, innovation, coordination, and certainty, the country could not only navigate the USMCA renegotiation but also strengthen its industrial leadership on the world stage.
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