The upcoming revision of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) , scheduled for July 2026, represents a window of opportunity in the face of the United States’ protectionist economic policy, which has affected various industrial sectors in Sinaloa, specifically primary and processed activities that the entity exports to the United States and Canada, its main markets.
“Sinaloa is an exporting state, primarily to the United States and Canada, which is why, for us, the USMCA is an important treaty that creates competitiveness, as tariffs have increased the price of several products that consumers absorb, and if the cost is too high, they end up not buying them. This is where the problem begins for companies, as sales are halted and this forces a readjustment of supply chains ,” emphasized Julio César Silvas, president of the Alliance for Business Development and Competitiveness (Adecem) , in an interview with T21.
In logistics, this means more expensive alternative routes or reduced volumes, affecting everything from land to sea transportation in ports like Mazatlán, he noted.
According to the Sinaloa Economic Development Council (Codesin) , the state’s exports totaled $3.618 billion in 2024, representing an annual increase of 11%; food and agricultural products accounted for 86.3% of that total.
For an exporting state like Sinaloa, the USMCA also means an open door to continued trade with the North American region , however, the fluidity of these operations is threatened by insecurity.
In areas such as Culiacán, Navolato, Los Mochis, and Mazatlán, the transportation of goods, whether for customs or interstate distribution, has faced disruptions that, while not paralyzing logistics or supply chains, have affected efficiency.
“That part of the country is an area of opportunity for Mexican authorities to address,” said Silvas, who emphasized the need for policies that unblock internal trade flows, which are essential for the USMCA to function as a regional catalyst.
One of the positive aspects of the trilateral trade agreement in the state is the increase in workers’ wages . However, there are still aspects that need to be addressed, as this does not reflect an improvement in the population’s purchasing power.
Since the USMCA came into effect in 2020, the minimum wage in Sinaloa was 123.22 pesos per day; in 2025, it will be 278.80 pesos per day, representing a 126.26% increase, according to Mexican government data.
Tariff uncertainty has led to the relocation of companies , particularly in the automotive sector. Although Sinaloa does not produce finished vehicles, its harnesses and components for this industry form key links, said the president of Adecem, who added that tomato and coffee producers have also suffered from the tariff impacts.
In 2024, Sinaloa produced 774,811 tons of tomatoes, an increase of 8.8% compared to 2023, according to the General Directorate of the Agri-Food and Fisheries Information Service (DGSIAP) , a decentralized administrative body of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sader) .
Diversification, the commitment to other markets
Faced with this pressure, Sinaloa is betting on diversification. Silvas recalled successful experiences of local companies such as SuKarne , which exports to Asia, and Zucarmex , which sells its products in Latin America and Europe. “We have experience in the Asian market,” Silvas emphasized, and he believed that the learning curves that Sinaloa’s products have gained in international markets should be leveraged.
Negotiations for the 2026 revision of the USMCA are generating optimism, albeit with caution, said Julio César Silvas, who highlighted the capacity and experience of Mexican negotiators to reach agreements that benefit both Mexico and the United States.
“Issues such as Chinese competition, a key request from Washington, could be resolved if Mexico demonstrates a commitment to strengthening regional integration. I don’t think the economy will be shut down; the United States is also a concern. I think it will be positive; we’ll just have to see the terms; the fact that they’re sitting at the table is already positive,” he emphasized.
The Monterrey Transportation and Logistics Meeting 2025 (ETYL MTY) , organized by Grupo T21, will address the importance of the USMCA and its impact on trade between Mexico and the United States.
In this regard, the Mexico-U.S. panel on the USMCA, cross-border trade, and regional competitiveness will be held on October 15 , where the challenges and opportunities within the framework of this agreement will be analyzed.
Topolobampo, Economic Development Pole
Looking to the future, projects like the Economic Development Hub for Well-being in Topolobampo represent a commercial driver for Sinaloa, especially for industries like tourism and automotive, attracting hotel chains and suppliers.
In this regard, Silvas highlighted the fertilizer plant of the Gas and Petrochemicals of the West (GPO) project , which seeks to contribute to the social and economic development of the region.
According to the GPO website, the committed investment amounts to $1.25 billion, an amount that will continue to rise to $5 billion over a 10-year period.
In addition, GPO has implemented social benefit programs that cover employment, sports, health, community, culture and education, seeking to improve the quality of life of the residents of Topolobampo and its surrounding areas .
For Silvas, it is important that Sinaloa capture added value through public policies that integrate Mexican capital into strategic processes. Under the renewed USMCA, this vision could transform regional logistics and the state’s key industries into an engine of prosperity.
Comment and follow us on X: @Eliseosfield / @GrupoT21
