The Mexican Institute of Foreign Trade Executives (IMECE) will elect a new president at a time of changes in Mexican customs regulations and uncertainty in the trade relationship with the United States. Christian Basurto , the organization’s current vice president, will assume the position on November 5 for the 2026-2028 term.
His election took place on October 5th during the 2026 Annual General Meeting of Founding and Senior Members, as reported by Carlos Novoa Mandujano , the Institute’s current president, in a statement to its members. Basurto accepted the position and will be sworn in at the 21st Annual IMECE Convention.
“ I gladly accept this responsibility and fully aware of what the Institute represents to us,” the president-elect said in a message thanking the founding members, former presidents, and associates for the trust placed in him during the Assembly.
Basurto holds a law degree from Anáhuac University , where he served as president of the Law Student Association, and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the same institution. He also holds several postgraduate diplomas in Tax and Administrative Law. His expertise encompasses constitutional and tax litigation , as well as Administrative and Regulatory Law, including foreign trade and health matters before the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) . He is currently pursuing a postgraduate degree in senior management at IPADE Business School .
The change in leadership will ensure the continuation of Basurto’s involvement in the Institute, where he served as Vice President alongside Novoa during the term that will conclude in November. Referring to this period, Basurto acknowledged the outgoing president’s work : “Special recognition to our president, Carlos Novoa, for his generosity and the work of these last three years. It has been a privilege to support him as Vice President.”
Novoa, for his part, congratulated his successor and thanked the members for their support during his three years leading the organization. The transition will be formalized at the Annual Convention , which will mark the beginning of the new presidential term.
At the national level, this change comes as a new reform to the Customs Law, approved by the Chamber of Deputies on October 6 and sent to the Senate for further legislative review, is underway. The proposal aims to strengthen the authorities’ powers to verify potential cases of undervaluation of goods and to protect tax revenue. For those involved in foreign trade, the discussion places the determination of customs value and the documentation required for transactions at the forefront, within an environment of increased scrutiny of imports.
Adding to this discussion is the international context. The review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) keeps negotiations open regarding the terms of regional trade: the United States, Mexico’s main trading partner, did not agree to extend the agreement in its current form during the July 1st review, although the treaty remains in effect. At the same time, U.S. tariff policy maintains differences between goods that comply with rules of origin and those subject to additional duties, making proof of origin and the evaluation of export costs crucial. This will be part of the trade environment in which Basurto will begin his tenure at the head of IMECE.
IMECE is an association of foreign trade executives that promotes professional development through training, continuing education, and the exchange of experiences , as well as fostering dialogue with stakeholders in the public and private sectors. Its work is particularly relevant given the role these professionals play in companies: coordinating import and export operations, ensuring customs compliance, and assessing how regulatory and tariff changes affect costs and market access. In the current climate, these decisions impact the continuity of supply chains and business competitiveness.
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