SAN PEDRO GARZA GARCÍA, NL – The modernization of Mexican customs stems from the authority’s own acknowledgment that its processes need improvement. Amidst the strengthening of its oversight powers, the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM) is focusing on better data, new technological profiles within its ranks , and greater international information sharing. The remaining question is how these capabilities will translate into more agile and predictable procedures for foreign trade.

During the panel “Moving the world: logistics, infrastructure and resilient supply chains”, held within the framework of the 32nd Mexican Foreign Trade Congress , organized by the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (Comce) , Estefanía Capdeville, general director of Customs Attention and International Affairs of ANAM, stated that digitization requires first reviewing the operation.

“Our processes are not working ,” he acknowledged, explaining the need to identify redundant activities and transform procedures before incorporating them into a system.

The accusation places direct responsibility on the institution. If the problem also lies in the design of the processes, demanding higher-quality information from users is insufficient : the authority must specify which procedures it will eliminate, how it will simplify validations, and what improvements will be obtained by those who properly certify their operations. The official’s statement did not detail time reduction targets or indicators to evaluate those results.

Capdeville explained that ANAM’s transformation includes incorporating specialists in digitization, systems, and data science. His own arrival, he recounted, was a response to this shift in profiles , following a career in international cooperation, telecommunications, and digital issues.

“I, Estefanía, am the consequence of the change we are experiencing,” she stated from the beginning of her speech.

The incorporation of technological capabilities can strengthen customs analysis, but it also demands knowledge of the processes it aims to transform. “I had never been inside a customs office before ,” Capdeville confessed.

The challenge is to integrate both experiences so that the design of customs systems responds to the conditions of dispatch and the diversity of foreign trade operations.

According to the official, one of the main obstacles is the quality of the information . Uploading an image or a scanned document to a platform, she explained, is not the same as providing data that the systems can use.

“This is a shared responsibility of both foreign trade users and foreign trade authorities,” he stated.

This shared responsibility requires verifiable conditions from both sides. Companies must provide consistent information; the authority must establish clear specifications , facilitate its transmission, and prevent the same data from being requested repeatedly without operational justification. Digitizing a redundant requirement retains its cost, even if the means of fulfilling it changes.

The discussion also showed that having more information does not automatically solve the problem of how to use it. Addressing ANAM’s priorities, Capdeville identified the declared value of goods and verification of their origin as central elements in combating practices that harm Mexican producers.

“ It’s not about raising revenue , it’s about protecting the national industry,” he argued.

The official linked this priority to the current customs reform and highlighted the interest in expanding information exchange with Asian countries, especially those in Southeast Asia. The goal is to understand the characteristics and history of the cargo before it is dispatched.

This approach can strengthen the early identification of risks. However, its effectiveness will depend on whether the information allows for better selection of operations requiring review and facilitates the verification of those that demonstrate compliance. Accumulating data without streamlining procedures can expand oversight capacity while simultaneously perpetuating administrative hurdles.

The proposal comes after Congress finalized the approval of changes to the Customs Law . The Senate endorsed the reform on October 13, and the decree was published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on October 23, with its entry into force scheduled for January 1, 2027.

The modifications strengthen the review of declared value and eliminate the 50% threshold that previously conditioned the grounds for precautionary seizure due to discrepancies in declared customs value between similar goods. The text incorporates provisions to differentiate the application of this ground through subsequent rules, which the authority must publish before the end of this year. Their implementation will be crucial in determining when a discrepancy warrants review and under what conditions the goods can be seized.

With greater powers comes increased importance for consistent criteria and timely mechanisms to resolve discrepancies. Combatting undervaluation requires evidence and analytical capacity; for operators, it also demands knowing how to substantiate their transactions and how to resolve disputes without unnecessarily prolonging uncertainty about the cargo.

Adriana Huerta, executive vice president of the Confederation of Customs Brokers Associations of the Mexican Republic (CAAAREM) , explained during the panel that the sector is working on the materiality of transactions, risk analysis, and the use of technological tools. Part of this effort involves guiding clients on what information they should share and how to back it up.

The task, however, extends beyond the file compiled by the customs agent. Silvia Armendáriz, manager of Livingston International , warned that the information can originate at another link in the chain : “Sometimes our data doesn’t even originate with us, but with our supplier.”

Therefore, he emphasized the need to connect systems to reduce manual data entry and errors . He also pointed out that having efficient platforms in different countries does not guarantee that they can communicate or transmit complete information.

The problem necessitates evaluating modernization as a coordination process. If suppliers, importers, customs brokers, and authorities cannot exchange data consistently, the additional requirements may translate into new data capture and reconciliation tasks.

ANAM acknowledged the need to transform its processes and is seeking tools for more precise oversight. The next step is to make this transformation verifiable . Data quality must translate into better-supported decisions, fewer redundant procedures, and greater certainty in dispatch. Otherwise, digitization risks becoming yet another layer of requirements on top of an operation whose shortcomings the authority itself already recognizes.

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El cargo More data and controls: customs modernization faces its own bureaucracy apareció primero en T21.

SAN PEDRO GARZA GARCÍA, NL.- The governor of Nuevo León, Samuel García, announced a 50% discount on customs duties in Colombia , as part of a strategy to attract more goods crossings and take advantage of the highway and customs infrastructure developed during his administration.

During his participation in the 32nd Mexican Foreign Trade Congress , organized by the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (Comce) , the state governor linked this incentive with the additional income that, as he explained, the state receives from the increase in foreign trade operations carried out by this customs office.

“We are going to announce a 50% discount on all Colombian customs duties,” he told business leaders, noting that the goal is to increase border crossings and boost exports, added value, and employment.

García stated that the benefit would begin on the day of his speech. However, during his address, he did not specify the fees included, the duration of the discount, or the requirements to access it.

The announcement follows an investment that the governor estimated at seven billion pesos : five billion to build the connecting road to Colombia and two billion to remodel the customs facility. He added that approximately 300 million pesos would be spent on maintenance, without specifying the frequency.

“It cost us five billion to build the road and two billion to remodel the customs building. Maintenance costs us about 300 million, to ensure it is always safe and well-maintained,” he stated.

Connectivity, according to his presentation, was one of the main limitations to taking advantage of this facility, located in the municipality of Anáhuac. Before the new access road, he explained, truckers had to travel to Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, and then drive approximately 40 minutes along the Ribereña highway to reach Colombia.

This detour reduced the attractiveness of the border crossing for companies that move goods from Nuevo León to the United States. Based on this argument, the governor presented the highway investment as a key element in increasing the use of the customs facility .

According to figures presented by García, in a period of approximately 10 years the facility went from fewer than 200 to 8,500 daily crossings. He also mentioned a projection of 15,000 crossings by 2030, as part of the growth potential he attributed to this foreign trade route.

The increase in operations also has a revenue-generating component for the state government. The governor maintained that the higher volume of customs activity in Nuevo León has contributed to increasing the federal funds the state receives.

“Those seven billion pesos were free for Nuevo León, because now, with that customs facility, Nuevo León receives an extra five billion pesos in revenue sharing every year,” he asserted. With that comparison, he argued that the investment in the highway and the customs facility has already been offset by the additional resources received.

Based on that, García presented the discount as an incentive to increase the volume of transactions through Colombia. He also called for strengthening the country’s infrastructure, security, and customs to attract a larger share of international trade.

The proposal presented to business leaders involves combining improved road connectivity with lower tolls for users. However, the operational scope of this benefit remains uncertain, pending further details on its implementation.

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El cargo Samuel García announces a 50% discount on Colombian customs duties apareció primero en T21.

Market diversification, strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and incorporating technology into production chains will set the agenda for the 32nd Mexican Foreign Trade Congress , which the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (Comce) will hold from October 27 to 29 in Monterrey, Nuevo León, with Italy as the guest country.

Under the slogan “Made in Mexico, Quality and Global Vision” , the meeting will take place in a scenario marked by the review of the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (USMCA), the modernization of the Global Agreement between Mexico and the European Union and the need to reduce the concentration of Mexican exports in the US market.

During the presentation of the Congress, Javier Cendejas, president of COMCE Northeast , explained that Monterrey was chosen due to the region’s industrial, business, and export strength. Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, and Durango accounted for 46% of national exports during the first quarter of 2026, while 52% of merchandise trade between Mexico and the United States is facilitated by the border infrastructure linked to the northeast of the country.

Added to this is Nuevo León’s performance in attracting foreign direct investment, ranking second nationally during the first half of 2026 with $3.712 billion . However, Cendejas maintained that the challenge is not limited to retaining these flows, but rather to transforming the reorganization of global supply chains into an opportunity to develop domestic suppliers, incorporate technology, and prepare the talent that industries will demand.

Italy’s participation will seek to add to this discussion the experience of an economy that has built much of its export presence through networks of small and medium-sized enterprises. Lorenzo Vianello, president of the Mexico-Italy Bilateral Business Committee of the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (COMCE) , pointed out that Italy is Mexico’s second-largest trading partner within the European Union, while Mexico holds the same position for Italy in the Americas, second only to the United States.

Although the bilateral balance favors Italy, Vianello explained that a significant proportion of its sales to Mexico corresponds to machinery and technology destined for industry and infrastructure, components that contribute to increasing the productive capacity of companies installed in Mexican territory.

“We always say that it is a very positive and virtuous relationship, because what Italy sells to Mexico is mostly technology and machinery for industry and infrastructure, which allows Mexico to become more competitive in its exports,” he stated.

The executive added that during the first six months of 2026, Mexican exports to Italy increased by nearly 30% compared to the same period of the previous year, while Italian shipments to Mexico grew by around 9%. Investment from Italy is concentrated primarily in Nuevo León and the Bajío region, with a presence in industries such as steel, infrastructure, automotive, pharmaceuticals, and automation.

Valentina Valente, head of the Economic and Commercial Office at the Italian Embassy in Mexico , highlighted that Mexico is the main destination for Italian exports to Latin America, accounting for a third of the country’s sales to the region. This position led the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to include it among its priority markets for export promotion.

The official believes the Modernized Global Agreement between Mexico and the European Union can expand trade, as it provides for the elimination of tariffs on nearly 99% of products traded between the two parties. The new framework opens opportunities for Mexico to deepen its economic integration with Europe and for Mexican companies to find an additional path to internationalization.

Given this scenario, Juan Pablo Castañón, vice president of COMCE, stated that the Italian experience in developing SMEs and value chains will be one of the main points of reference at the Congress. The goal, he said, is to provide Mexican companies with the knowledge, financing, and infrastructure they need to participate in international trade.

“Millions of small business owners in the country aspire to have the facilities, access, financing, knowledge, and to join value chains so they can export to the world,” said Castañón, who added that the meeting will also commemorate the 75th anniversary of Comce and expects to bring together between 750 and 1,000 attendees.

Betsabé Rocha, Secretary of Economy for Nuevo León, warned that despite Mexico’s extensive network of trade agreements, the country remains highly dependent on a single economy . In this context, she argued that the geopolitical tensions of recent years reinforce the need to explore other markets and prepare SMEs to take advantage of existing trade agreements.

“We are the country with the most trade agreements in the world, and yet we still depend heavily on one economy. So we need to diversify,” he said.

Rocha explained that many companies are already exporting without sufficient guidance on how to utilize available tariff preferences. Therefore, the Nuevo León government is working with the Northeast Business Council for Foreign Trade (Comce Noreste) on a project to identify and support SMEs with export potential . She also emphasized that technologies such as artificial intelligence can reduce the time and costs of market research and improve decision-making.

The official also linked external competitiveness to security, regulation, and logistical capacity. She pointed out that Nuevo León has 910 economic sectors and the lowest rate of informal employment in the country, in addition to holding a prominent position in economic complexity and innovation—conditions that have allowed it to mitigate the adverse cycles of specific industries.

Lourdes Arana Flores, Director of Business Services and Institutional Relations at COMCE, explained that the program will cover artificial intelligence, logistics, security, financing, e-commerce, investment, and outlook for the end of 2026 and the beginning of 2027. Italy will have a business pavilion to showcase technological solutions, services, and investments with a presence or interest in Mexico.

The agenda will include conferences, workshops, B2B meetings, and technical visits to 17 companies . The business meetings will be specifically designed to connect small and medium-sized suppliers with larger companies, facilitating their integration into supply chains. For reference, the previous edition, held in Querétaro, brought together approximately 750 attendees, 55 exhibitors, 35 panelists, and representatives from 18 countries and 21 Mexican states, in addition to generating 500 business meetings.

Susana Duque, general director of Comce, indicated that the organization will take advantage of its six international sections, 60 bilateral business committees and 26 national representations to bring companies closer to export , diversification and investment opportunities in different markets.

Thus, Congress will seek to move beyond the discussion on the volume of foreign trade to focus on one of its pending structural issues: expanding the base of Mexican companies capable of exporting , integrating into global chains, and reducing their vulnerability to trade, regulatory, and geopolitical changes.

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El cargo Comce will bring the new challenges of foreign trade to Monterrey apareció primero en T21.

Despite the complex trade and political environment in the United States, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) remains in effect and guarantees at least 10 years of stability for North American integration. However, the main challenge will be reducing the uncertainty generated by tariffs and preventing new unilateral measures from hindering investment, according to specialists from the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (COMCE) .

During a press conference, Sergio Contreras Pérez, executive president of Comce, highlighted the importance that the Mexican export sector has acquired , estimating that this year the country will reach exports of around 730 billion dollars (mdd) , of which 92% will correspond to manufactured goods , reflecting the consolidation of the national industrial base.

“Exporting doesn’t just mean selling abroad; it involves meeting the standards of quality, innovation, logistics, and delivery times that distinguish Mexico in international markets today,” he stated.

Antonio Ortiz Mena, president of the T-MEC Technical Strategy Committee of Comce, pointed out that the permanence of the treaty until at least 2036 represents a scenario of “realistic certainty” , in an international context marked by geopolitical, technological and commercial changes.

He explained that, although an automatic renewal for 16 years would have been desirable, the new review mechanism allows for constant dialogue between the three countries and preserves the validity of the agreement.

“The key is to reduce uncertainty about unilateral actions by the United States. Companies need clear rules to be able to plan and invest,” he stressed.

For his part, Kenneth Smith, president of the Mexico-United States Bilateral Business Committee of the Comce, stated that the chances of the United States abandoning the USMCA are “virtually nil” , despite the rhetoric of President Donald Trump.

However, he warned that the real risk to regional competitiveness lies in the continuation of tariffs and the possibility that Washington will impose new tariffs under arguments of national security.

“The priority is to reach an agreement that eliminates or minimizes current tariffs and avoids further surprises for businesses,” he said.

Smith explained that the annual reviews stipulated in the treaty mechanism do not mean that the USMCA must be renegotiated every year. Once the three countries agree on the recommendations to improve its operation, the treaty can be automatically extended for another 16 years.

He also called for avoiding hasty concessions during the review and ensuring that the changes do not alter the structure of the trade agreement or affect its balance.

China will be the “fourth participant” in the review

One of the central themes of the review will be the trade relationship with China.

Smith acknowledged that the Asian country will, in effect, be “the fourth participant” in the negotiations, due to the United States’ interest in reducing its dependence on Chinese suppliers and strengthening regional supply chains.

However, he warned that North America cannot completely close itself off to Asian trade .

“We need to identify which production processes can be moved to the region and which, for economic reasons, will continue to be carried out in Asia. We cannot build a fortress isolated from the rest of the world,” he emphasized.

Diversification with Canada

Armando Ortega, president of the Mexico-Canada Bilateral Business Committee of Comce, highlighted that both countries share the challenge of reducing their dependence on the US market through greater trade diversification.

In that regard, he emphasized the importance of the Mexico-Canada Action Plan 2025-2028 , which seeks to increase trade and investment in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, connectivity, rail infrastructure, labor mobility, and critical minerals.

He also proposed strengthening the traceability of supply chains through technological tools, such as blockchain , to guarantee the origin of products and provide greater transparency to regional trade.

The representatives of Comce agreed that investment behavior will depend, to a large extent, on the ability of the three governments to reduce regulatory and tariff uncertainty .

Although they noted that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has remained stable, they acknowledged that Mexico still has room to attract greater flows if it strengthens its business environment and provides greater legal certainty.

Finally, the organization reiterated that the objective of the USMCA review should be to strengthen North American economic integration without affecting regional competitiveness , preserving free trade and avoiding new barriers that limit the growth of shared supply chains.

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El cargo Reducing uncertainty will be key to the future of the USMCA: Comce apareció primero en T21.

With the participation of more than 250 leaders, businesswomen, executives and representatives from the public and private sectors, the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (Comce) held the Women Exporters Forum , a space designed to promote networking , dialogue and collaboration around greater participation of Mexican women in international markets.

The meeting brought together voices from the government, business organizations and representatives of the export ecosystem to discuss one of the pending challenges of foreign trade: closing the gaps that limit the access and growth of women-led businesses .

The event was attended by Alicia Bárcena, Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources; José Medina Mora, President of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE) ; Altagracia Gómez Sierra, Coordinator of the Advisory Council for Regional Economic Development and Relocation (CADERR); Sergio Contreras Pérez, Executive President of Comce; Leonardo Poblete Galván, Head of the Institutional Promotion Unit of the National Bank of Foreign Trade (Bancomext) ; and Susana Duque Roquero, General Director of Comce.

In his welcoming message, Sergio Contreras Pérez emphasized that the country’s export growth cannot be understood without greater incorporation of female leadership.

“Mexico will not be able to reach its full export potential without fully incorporating the leadership, capacity, and vision of women in foreign trade. Our country can become the eighth largest exporting power, but to achieve this goal, women must not be spectators: they must be protagonists,” she asserted.

For her part, Alicia Bárcena linked sustainable development with women’s economic participation and highlighted that foreign trade also represents a way to project identity and values ​​to the world.

“Exporting is about projecting our identity; it’s about telling the world who we are, what we produce, and what values ​​underpin our economy,” he said.

From the business sector, José Medina Mora acknowledged progress in terms of gender parity, although he warned that significant challenges remain at the management levels.

“Although gender parity exists at entry levels, women are underrepresented in management, director, and general management positions. The key to achieving parity is to recognize talent and create opportunities equitably,” she noted.

One of the key findings of the discussion was the disparity between the participation of women-led and men-led businesses in international trade. According to the forum, in Latin America, less than a quarter of businesses are headed by women, and this gap is also reflected in export activity.

While 10% of women-led businesses export, the proportion reaches 14% for those led by men . This difference is partly due to structural factors: women-led businesses tend to be smaller, younger, and concentrated in the service sector, while men-led businesses tend to be larger and more focused on international trade in goods.

The forum also addressed the particular context of Mexico, where female representation in business leadership continues to be lower compared to other markets in the region.

With this meeting, Comce reaffirmed its commitment to opening spaces for dialogue, collaboration, and capacity building that will allow for greater participation of women in foreign trade and accelerate their access to new internationalization opportunities.

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El cargo Comce places female leadership at the center of foreign trade apareció primero en T21.

With the participation of more than 250 leaders, businesswomen, executives and representatives from the public and private sectors, the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (Comce) held the Women Exporters Forum , a space designed to promote networking , dialogue and collaboration around greater participation of Mexican women in international markets.

The meeting brought together voices from the government, business organizations and representatives of the export ecosystem to discuss one of the pending challenges of foreign trade: closing the gaps that limit the access and growth of women-led businesses .

The event was attended by Alicia Bárcena, Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources; José Medina Mora, President of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE) ; Altagracia Gómez Sierra, Coordinator of the Advisory Council for Regional Economic Development and Relocation (CADERR); Sergio Contreras Pérez, Executive President of Comce; Leonardo Poblete Galván, Head of the Institutional Promotion Unit of the National Bank of Foreign Trade (Bancomext) ; and Susana Duque Roquero, General Director of Comce.

In his welcoming message, Sergio Contreras Pérez emphasized that the country’s export growth cannot be understood without greater incorporation of female leadership.

“Mexico will not be able to reach its full export potential without fully incorporating the leadership, capacity, and vision of women in foreign trade. Our country can become the eighth largest exporting power, but to achieve this goal, women must not be spectators: they must be protagonists,” she asserted.

For her part, Alicia Bárcena linked sustainable development with women’s economic participation and highlighted that foreign trade also represents a way to project identity and values ​​to the world.

“Exporting is about projecting our identity; it’s about telling the world who we are, what we produce, and what values ​​underpin our economy,” he said.

From the business sector, José Medina Mora acknowledged progress in terms of gender parity, although he warned that significant challenges remain at the management levels.

“Although gender parity exists at entry levels, women are underrepresented in management, director, and general management positions. The key to achieving parity is to recognize talent and create opportunities equitably,” she noted.

One of the key findings of the discussion was the disparity between the participation of women-led and men-led businesses in international trade. According to the forum, in Latin America, less than a quarter of businesses are headed by women, and this gap is also reflected in export activity.

While 10% of women-led businesses export, the proportion reaches 14% for those led by men . This difference is partly due to structural factors: women-led businesses tend to be smaller, younger, and concentrated in the service sector, while men-led businesses tend to be larger and more focused on international trade in goods.

The forum also addressed the particular context of Mexico, where female representation in business leadership continues to be lower compared to other markets in the region.

With this meeting, Comce reaffirmed its commitment to opening spaces for dialogue, collaboration, and capacity building that will allow for greater participation of women in foreign trade and accelerate their access to new internationalization opportunities.

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El cargo Comce places female leadership at the center of foreign trade apareció primero en T21.

Logistics costs in Mexico have ceased to be an operational issue and have become a structural problem affecting the country’s competitiveness, according to Javier Cendejas Meneses, president of the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (Comce) Northeast chapter . He explained that while internationally logistics costs range between 5% and 35% of revenue, in Mexico they can reach up to 60% of sales .

“This is not just another expense. It is a factor that defines the very viability of competing in global markets,” he noted while presenting a diagnosis of the challenges facing Mexican foreign trade.

According to the analysis presented by the business organization, the transportation structure in Mexico reflects imbalances. 69% of exports and 46.7% of imports are transported by road , while ports handle 33% of imports.

However, these flows are not symmetrical. “Trucks leave full and return empty. Ships arrive loaded and leave with less volume. There is a clear inefficiency that we must correct,” Cendejas warned.

The diagnosis revealed a sustained deterioration in logistics-related costs. Between 2015 and 2025, transportation and storage costs increased by 72% , according to the National Producer Price Index (INPP) of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) .

“This is compounded by the 48.8% increase in fuel prices in recent years, as well as the accumulated impact of tolls, transportation services and other indirect costs,” Cendejas Meneses noted.

He explained that shipping a container from Shanghai to Manzanillo costs around $3,312 and takes 16 days . In contrast, transporting it from Manzanillo to Monterrey can cost over $4,500 for a 30-hour journey. With tolls and delays, the total cost rises to approximately $8,585. “The problem isn’t the distance, but how we manage the final logistical leg within the country,” he explained.

“The underlying message is clear: Mexico has a historic opportunity to integrate itself with greater leadership into global value chains, but that opportunity will not materialize if logistics continues to be a bottleneck,” he warned.

For Comce Noreste, this link —which connects the ports with the industrial centers— has become the most vulnerable point in the chain.

According to the study, in 16 years Mexico only increased by 0.1 points and fell back 10 places in the World Bank ‘s logistics performance ranking .

Faced with this situation, Cendejas proposed strengthening investment in infrastructure, advancing the digitization of processes, consolidating logistics corridors, and developing safe rest stops for carriers .

“Logistics is not an add-on. It is the bridge between what we produce and the market. Making its cost more competitive is a strategic decision for Mexico’s economic development,” explained the president of Comce Noreste.

Cendejas called for improved transport planning, optimized packaging , advance customs documentation, and more efficient inventory management.

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El cargo Logistics costs impact Mexico’s commercial competitiveness: Comce Noreste apareció primero en T21.

One of the challenges of revising the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will be addressing trade instruments such as Section 232, which have generated distortions in some productive sectors, said Kenneth Smith, president of the Mexico-United States Bilateral Business Committee of the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (Comce) , who emphasized that the private sector’s objective is to preserve completely tariff-free trade within North America , provided that the rules of origin are met

During the forum “100 Days After the USMCA Review ,” Smith explained that, in the current trade environment, goods originating in the region continue to benefit from zero tariffs , while products from other economies face tariffs that can reach 10%, 25%, or even 50% in sectors such as steel, aluminum, or strategic minerals.

“This difference, he noted, reinforces the importance of strengthening North American production integration and expanding regional content in strategic industries such as automotive, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing,” a statement said.

In his remarks, he stressed that strengthening North America requires a regional strategy based on technical information , business coordination, and economic analysis that supports the treaty’s relevance to the governments of the three countries.

In that context, he presented the North American Trade Coalition (NATC) initiative , a trilateral platform that brings together representatives from industry and academia in Mexico, the United States, and Canada with the goal of generating analyses and proposals that demonstrate the economic impact of the USMCA.

Sergio Contreras Pérez, CEO of COMCE, emphasized that North America has consolidated its position as the most integrated manufacturing region in the world , operating as a single manufacturing platform. He indicated that bilateral trade between Mexico and the United States is close to one trillion dollars annually, while total trade within the USMCA—including services such as transportation, tourism, and financial services—is approaching 1.8 trillion dollars.

For his part, Luis Rosendo Gutiérrez, Undersecretary of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Economy , stressed that the participation of the private sector will be crucial in the review process.

He reported that the formal start of discussions is scheduled for March 16 and added that priority issues include rules of origin, strengthening regional supply chains, and substituting extra-regional inputs with production within North America.

“We believe that at the end of the treaty review we will have a trilateral agreement in which Canada is a fundamental part. Our vision, and I believe it is Canada’s vision as well, is a regional one. If we are together, we are stronger,” he added.

During the forum, Juan Cortina Gallardo, representative of the Mexican Business Council , noted that the private sector of the three countries is working together to preserve the trilateral nature of the agreement. He recalled that 13 million jobs in the United States depend on trade with Mexico and Canada, and emphasized that the region’s productive integration is one of the pillars of its global competitiveness .

The forum also included a panel focused on regional competitiveness, technological innovation, and supply chains. Sofía Pérez Gasque, general director of the Mexican Association of the Information Technology Industry (AMITI) , emphasized that the information technology sector plays an enabling role for multiple industries.

Among other business leaders and specialists, Carlos García, president of the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico , pointed out that the economic integration between Mexico and the United States is reflected in the regional production structure. He indicated that approximately 40% of the value of Mexican exports incorporates U.S. content, demonstrating the high degree of interdependence between the two economies.

Comce reaffirmed its commitment to contribute its technical capacity, international experience and knowledge of the commercial environment to support companies and authorities in the process of reviewing the agreement.

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El cargo Private sector seeks to preserve tariff-free trade in USMCA review: Comce apareció primero en T21.

The Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (Comce) indicated that Mexico’s exports reached a historic performance in 2025, registering a record of 664 billion 837 million dollars (USD), representing an increase of 7.6% compared to the accumulated total for 2024 , according to figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) . Therefore, it suggested that this strength could translate into opportunities to boost greater domestic economic growth.

“Mexico is an exporting powerhouse that holds leading roles globally and is the United States’ main trading partner. It exports more than $1.26 million per minute. Furthermore, the country ranks among the world’s most open economies, with foreign trade now equivalent to 75% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), reflecting a high level of integration into global value chains,” highlighted Sergio Contreras, executive president of COMCE.

The organization specified that, despite the performance of the external sector, GDP growth in 2025 was only 0.39%, reflecting a gap between export volume and its impact on the domestic economy . In response, Contreras proposed strengthening domestic content and production chains to generate greater added value in exports.

According to figures from INEGI, over 90% of Mexican exports are manufactured goods, totaling US$608.818 billion, primarily in the automotive and electronics sectors . However, a significant portion of the inputs are imported, which limits the multiplier effect of foreign trade on domestic growth.

Comce noted that sectors such as automotive, aerospace, medical devices, advanced electronics and specialized machinery offer opportunities to increase national content and expand regional productive integration, with the goal of turning export leadership into an engine of sustained growth .

Contreras concluded that  strengthening the correlation between exports and economic growth will allow  Mexico to translate its commercial strength into long-term well-being and development.

In the context of the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) , scheduled for this year, the Comce called for coordinated efforts between authorities and the private sector to evolve towards a more integrated and competitive production model.

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El cargo Foreign trade, an opportunity to boost the Mexican economy: Comce apareció primero en T21.

With the aim of anticipating the challenges and capitalizing on the opportunities that will mark the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in 2026, the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (Comce) convened business leaders, specialists and representatives of strategic organizations at the meeting “Mexico on the path of USMCA review and the impact of tariffs” , held in Mexico City.

Through its USMCA Technical Strategy Committee, the organization opened a space for analysis on the North American trade environment, tariff risks, and the need for a coordinated stance between the private sector and government.

During the meeting, Sergio Contreras Pérez, CEO of COMCE, underscored the region’s strategic importance, noting that the USMCA represents approximately 30% of global GDP and $1.93 trillion in regional trade. In this context, he emphasized the importance of building a shared vision among Mexico, the United States, and Canada to expand the opportunities generated by more than three decades of economic integration.

The geopolitical dimension of the review was addressed by Roberta Jacobson, former U.S. ambassador and founding partner of Dinámica Américas, who warned that the process will be decisive for the region’s future. She noted that Mexico must rely on its institutional strengths to navigate a complex environment, while reaffirming its role as a key partner for U.S. global competitiveness.

From a bilateral perspective, Kenneth Smith Ramos, president of the Mexico-United States Bilateral Committee of the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (COMCE), maintained that Mexico must stand firm against potential tariff pressures , noting that Mexico is the primary destination for U.S. exports. In this regard, he emphasized that technical preparedness and responsiveness will be decisive factors during the review of the trade agreement.

Sectoral analysis also played a central role. Juan Acra, president of the Mexican Energy Council , emphasized the urgent need for a regional policy that strengthens energy security and provides certainty for infrastructure investments. In the legal sphere, Mario Valencia, partner at Galicia Abogados , explained that the review of the USMCA will be a technical exercise focused on compliance with environmental, energy, and labor commitments.

In strategic industries, Antonio Ortiz Mena, president of the USMCA Committee of the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (COMCE), noted that North America has the conditions to move toward self-sufficiency in steel and aluminum through greater trilateral coordination. Meanwhile, Armando Ortega, president of the Mexico-Canada Bilateral Committee, raised the opportunity to promote a chapter on critical minerals that would ensure the regional supply chain, key to the energy transition, artificial intelligence, and technologies related to national security.

The automotive sector reaffirmed Mexico’s position within the bloc. Francisco González Díaz, executive president of the National Auto Parts Industry (INA) , emphasized that the country remains an indispensable supplier for U.S. automakers , a strength that should be reflected in the negotiation strategy.

The international vision of Comce was presented by Juan Pablo Cervantes Sánchez Navarro, president of the North American International Section, who stated that regional competitiveness will depend on deepening integration and building a common agenda that transforms the review of the USMCA into a structural opportunity for the region.

From the federal government, Ismael Ortiz, head of the Global Economic Intelligence Unit of the Ministry of Economy , assured that Mexico is entering the review process strengthened thanks to its industrial capacity, innovation ecosystem and competitive talent , elements that can turn the review into a factor of greater certainty and trade fairness.

The meeting also included the participation of José Medina Mora, president of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE) , as well as representatives from the  Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO) , the Mexican Business Council , the financial sector, customs agents and international trade specialists, who contributed different perspectives to the debate.

The forum called for strengthened regional and business coordination to transform the challenges of the USMCA renegotiation into long-term advantages. COMCE reiterated its commitment to supporting the Mexican private sector, boosting foreign trade, strengthening investment attraction, and promoting innovation through 2026.

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El cargo Comce and the business sector outline Mexico’s strategy for the USMCA review apareció primero en T21.