Despite geopolitical tensions, rising tariffs, and increasing uncertainty about trade policies, globalization continues at historically high levels , according to the Global Connectivity Report 2026 , produced by DHL and New York University’s Stern School of Business, which shows that international flows of trade, capital, information, and people remain resilient.

The study—based on more than nine million data points—indicated that the global level of connectivity reached 25% in 2025 , the same record level achieved in 2022. This suggests that, although political and trade barriers persist, countries and companies are largely maintaining their international links.

John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express, highlighted that the continued high levels of globalization reflect its importance in addressing global challenges.

“Globalization remains strong, and that alone speaks volumes about its value. The world’s greatest challenges can only be solved through global thinking,” he stated.

The report highlighted that global trade grew in 2025 at its fastest pace since 2017 , excluding the volatile period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Part of this growth was attributed to the United States bringing forward its imports in anticipation of potential tariff increases.

Furthermore, the rise of artificial intelligence significantly boosted trade. Products related to this technology accounted for 42% of the growth in global merchandise trade in the first three quarters of 2025 , according to data from the World Trade Organization (WTO) .

Looking ahead, the report anticipates that US tariffs could moderate trade growth, but not halt it. Global merchandise trade is projected to grow by an average of 2.6% annually until 2029 , a rate similar to that of the past decade.

The United States and China reduce their trade ties.

One of the most noticeable changes in global dynamics is the gradual decoupling between the United States and China . Trade between the two economies accounted for only 2.0% of global trade during the first three quarters of 2025 , down from 2.7% in 2024 and 3.6% at its peak in 2015.

However, the report highlighted that this reduction has a limited impact on the global landscape. Even with the distancing between these two powers, the world economy shows no signs of splitting into rival trading blocs.

In fact, during the last decade only between 4% and 6% of global trade and investment flows have been diverted from geopolitical rivals , and most have gone to economies with more flexible positions, such as India or Vietnam.

Beyond trade, the report identified mixed trends in other international flows:

• Capital: Global foreign direct investment increased and cross-border mergers and acquisitions remained strong, although announced investment in new facilities fell in 2025.
• Information: Digital flows, which had been the most dynamic engine of globalization, show greater volatility since 2021 due to geopolitical tensions and data restrictions.
• People: After the collapse caused by the pandemic, international travel, student mobility and migration reached new all-time highs.

Record trade distances

Contrary to predictions of regionalization in supply chains, the report highlights that goods traveled the greatest average distance on record in 2025: 5,010 kilometers (km) . Similarly, foreign direct investment projects in new facilities reached a record average distance of 6,250 km .

These figures suggest that, despite geopolitical tensions, companies continue to operate in global networks and have not migrated massively towards regional models.

In the ranking of the most globalized countries, Singapore remains in first place, followed by Luxembourg and the Netherlands . At the regional level, Europe leads the ranking, followed by North America and the Middle East and North Africa .

For its part, Mexico ranked 78th out of 180 economies , with data from 2024. Although its position has not improved since 2019, the country advanced eight places compared to 2023 and registered a slight increase in its score.

The report highlighted that Mexico’s trade pattern reflects its strategic role within North American supply chains . Approximately 87% of its exports go to the United States and Canada , while these countries account for only 41% of its imports , demonstrating a more diversified supply network.

According to the analysis, this role could strengthen as more companies continue to invest in Mexico to diversify their supply chains in the face of dependence on China.

Steven A. Altman, director of the DHL Initiative on Globalization at NYU Stern, noted that the political debate about globalization is often more volatile than the economic reality.

“The risks to globalization are real, but so is the resilience of global flows,” he said.

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The signing of the affiliation agreement makes DHL Express a strategic partner of the Official Investment Promotion Agency of Nuevo León , which brings together stakeholders from the public, private, academic, and social sectors to boost regional competitiveness.

“Joining the INVEST Monterrey Alliance strengthens our presence in the north of the country and allows us to actively participate in projects that promote investment, entrepreneurship, and regional competitiveness,” said Manuel Montes, Director of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs at DHL Express Mexico.

As part of the alliance, DHL Express will participate in regional development and international promotion projects , strategic events to attract investment , and networking activities with key companies, chambers of commerce, and organizations in the state.

It will also have visibility on INVEST Monterrey’s communication platforms and access to exclusive member training and benefits.

In return, the logistics company will offer INVEST Monterrey members the “Open Your Account” program , which provides special discounts on courier and parcel services for national and international shipments, aimed at micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and artisans .

The goal is to make it easier for Monterrey entrepreneurs to expand their operations and reach new markets.

The membership, valid for 12 months, is part of an environment where Nuevo León is consolidating its position as one of Mexico’s main industrial hubs.

According to the 2024 Economic Census of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) , the state has 209,041 registered establishments that employ more than 2.1 million people.

Of these, microbusinesses represent 89.7% of economic units and generate 22.3% of employment, while large companies, although only 0.6% of the total, account for 42.7% of employment and 52.7% of income.

With this collaboration, DHL Express reaffirms its commitment to national economic growth, providing small and medium-sized businesses with logistics solutions that strengthen their competitiveness and presence in national and international markets.

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However, there are still challenges to face. Currently in Mexico, women suffer a wage gap of between 22% and 28% for the same position compared to men , despite working longer hours. Furthermore, they lack the same level of motivation to obtain the same position.

One story that shows glimpses of the above is that of Clara Fragoso, an operator with Super Transporte Internacional (STI) , who is one of the women who has been operating a tractor-trailer for 20 years . The beginning of that journey, she said, was not difficult, “but terrifying. There were no opportunities for us. The belief system that women were only made to stay at home and when I come along and tell them I wanted to drive a tractor-trailer, it was like, ‘You’re crazy.'”

Even though it was one of the most difficult times in her life, she persevered. “When I arrived at the transport industry and saw the life in transport, their lifestyle was surprising, and as a woman, it was very difficult to adapt, and I didn’t see it as necessary. Even the conditions were terrible for them, and I thought: why do they allow this? Operating a trailer is no different than having a decent life, and I clung to that,” Fragoso recalled.

Clara also went through a difficult personal period: a breakup and, in the process, a job search. Later, she had the opportunity to operate a tractor-trailer, but she faced harassment, bullying, and a lack of opportunities .

“They asked me if I was afraid of operating a trailer, and I told them: I’m more afraid of going back to that moment with my son and saying, ‘I don’t have anything to feed you,’” she emphasized during the Women in the Industry panel at the 100 Women in Transportation and Logisticsevent , organized by T21.

Shantal Torres, procurement director of Leschaco Mexicana , with almost 30 years of experience, explained that throughout this time she has worked in different areas, although the one she is in now has faced challenges .

“We know that in this industry, some more than others, the male presence is stronger, and sometimes—not because I’m a woman, but also because of my age—I’ve encountered some barriers to success. But I feel very proud; today, at 25, it’s totally different. It’s a very challenging but fulfilling career, with transportation, railroads, shipping companies, freight forwarders—this industry isn’t boring,” she explained.

Erika Quezada, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at DHL Express , recalled two pieces of advice that have worked for her professionally. First, “have the necessary training and knowledge to feel confident ,” and second, “create credibility and transparency within the organizations we belong to.”

“I’ve had it happen to me that when you start talking about a customs or transportation issue, especially in a male setting, the comment, ‘Oh, look, he knows,’ then you gain their attention and seriousness, allowing you to develop. This builds confidence and credibility for yourself. We should never limit ourselves from accessing leadership roles,” she explained.

Likewise, he stressed the importance of having a support network of family members and also having time for professional and personal commitments.

Opening doors

Clara Fragoso stated that opening up a space for women in an industry like trucking was driven by the stories of other women who have experienced violence, abandonment, need, and, above all, raising their children.

“That has been a very important part for me, telling them that it’s possible and letting them know through my work that women can do it, and do it well, that we do it just like them. Women in transportation will open many doors for them as entrepreneurs with the response in our work; by doing it with actions, we have achieved great openness,” she emphasized.

In this regard, she stated that for the past five years, there has been a significant shift to integrate more female personnel into the sector, and that the Association of Women Cargo Vehicle Operators (AMO) has been established .

However, she explained that there are still challenges to overcome, such as providing a safe, harassment-free space, comprehensive training, dedicated spaces, and equitable salaries .

Erika Quezada commented that within DHL Express, there are groups focused on gender diversity and inclusion , and although there are few female operators, they seek opportunities to strengthen their participation. She also considered it necessary to promote sisterhood, “because together we are stronger.”

Meanwhile, Shantal Torres mentioned that Leschaco has promoted the inclusion of all people; she also reiterated that “we all have that feeling that we can do more, we can do better, and not just because of gender differences.”

Laura Hernández Hernández, Business Manager for BNSF Railway , said the U.S. railroad is headed by a woman for the first time, and has also created various support groups, including Pride, focused on the LGBT community .

He maintained that at some point, we’ll reach a stage where we only see talent, qualities, and a single drive: being human beings and, above all, professionals, “logistics and transportation people, and we integrate.”

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EL MARQUÉS, QRO .- DHL Express México inaugurated its air hub at Querétaro International Airport (AIQ), which required an investment of more than 120 million dollars, infrastructure that is positioned as the most advanced and with the greatest capacity in Latin America.

With this investment, the facility now has more than 30,000 square meters of space , 44 automated freight lines, and a handling capacity of 41,000 shipments per hour.

“This hub connects 100,000 packages every night and can reach 250,000. This is very important to us because it represents the future of DHL Express Mexico. The present and the future are built by working today,” said Antonio Arranz, CEO of the company.

At a press conference, Arranz announced that they will also seek to convert this infrastructure into a domestic land hub, which will be the second phase of this project.

Arturo Fonseca, the company’s Vice President of Operations, mentioned that these facilities are fully automated, which allows them to increase their efficiency.

“We have the capacity for large packages, standard-sized boxes, and the flyer component, which allows us to be very efficient with smaller items. Fifty percent of the volume we handle comes from Mexico City and is distributed throughout the country. We also have a lot of volume from Tijuana, where the planes are generally full, and also in the southeast, especially Cancún and Mérida. We have the advantage that the 737 planes that serve these regions are full on both flights,” he indicated.

Regarding the second phase, in an interview with T21, he specified that the original building where they began work, which is no longer operational, will be converted into a facility to host ground operations.

Without mentioning a date, he said they will wait for the results of the peak season, which begins with Buen Fin and ends with Three Kings’ Day, to determine their projections for the coming years.

He explained that this hub handles cargo from various segments, including automotive, e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, and others.

Erika Quezada, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for DHL Express Mexico, noted that Querétaro has been a key hub for the company since 2011 , which is why it underwent its first expansion of its facilities in 2014, before moving to this new hub.

“This facility will give us life for many years to come and the capacity our clients are waiting for to continue managing our businesses,” he said.

He explained that this infrastructure is the company’s largest capacity , becoming the “heart” for the coming years. Furthermore, with this facility, they will be able to process 41,000 packages per hour and connect 98% of them to different destinations next day.

Currently, this facility serves 12 daily domestic flights (arrivals and departures) to Mérida, Cancún, Monterrey, Ciudad Juárez, Mazatlán, Cabo San Lucas, Torreón, Hermosillo, Chihuahua, Villahermosa, Culiacán, and Tijuana, with a total of 33 interconnected cities. Additionally, there are daily flights to Cincinnati, United States.

“This isn’t just an air hub, but a ground hub, because it operates from 11 p.m. until the early morning, and during those hours we work our magic. It connects to all the domestic ground networks that extend to all the states of the Republic. And it also lands a plane coming from the United States,” Quezada added.

Regarding job creation, they specified that there were approximately 600 indirect jobs, while there were 280 direct jobs.

Luis Felipe Rivas, CEO of TL Kapital, said the hub is LEED-certified, and its construction includes 610 solar panels, a rainwater harvesting system, regional materials, and recyclable content, among other elements. This reflects the commitment of all companies to the environment and aligns with the airport’s vision of reducing carbon emissions.

Mauricio Kuri González, governor of Querétaro, was in charge of the symbolic lighting of the machining center, the ceremony that officially inaugurated the facilities.

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Arranz highlighted that during the El Buen Fin weekend, the company had a record 510 thousand packages delivered, an achievement that underscores the continued growth of e-commerce in Mexico.

“We are very pleased that, despite the economic challenges, we have maintained a high level of service. This is a result of the great capacity of our team and our technological investments,” he said.

On the other hand, the executive highlighted that this year they made an investment of 60 million euros for the acquisition of 600 new vehicles , a significant increase that represents a 20% growth in DHL’s total fleet in Mexico.

“Without this investment, we would not have been able to guarantee the level of service we currently offer, especially during this peak season,” said Arranz.

The new fleet includes vehicles of various sizes to suit market needs, from small units for compact packages to medium and large units for bulky products.

In addition, DHL announced that the inauguration of the expansion of its hub in Querétaro , which will be the most advanced in Latin America, will take place in early 2025 .

Arranz explained that the hub has already operated at full capacity during this peak season, allowing DHL to maintain its commitment to on-time delivery during the holiday season.

“This hub is an example of our long-term vision for logistics growth in the region, consolidating Querétaro as a strategic point in our global network,” said Antonio Arranz.

On the other hand, DHL reaffirms its commitment to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the DHL PYMES Program , an initiative that seeks to empower entrepreneurs with training in digital strategies and access to international trade tools.

This program started in Querétaro on November 15 and will be expanded to all states in the country.

“Our goal is to ensure that every small business has access to the infrastructure and knowledge needed to compete globally,” he said.

He also pointed out that all this is happening in a context in which B2B trade is picking up, so next year, although it will start off difficult, looks favourable.

He added that DHL Express grew by around 100% during the six-year period and the German group set a goal of growing its division in Mexico by 50% in the period 2025-2030.

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DHL Express México announced two changes in its management team, with the aim of promoting the development of talent within the company, while further strengthening its management team.

In this sense, through a statement it was announced that Adrián Sánchez , who held the position of director of CX BIT, will assume the position of CIO (Chief Information Officer) as of June 1.

The German company indicated that Adrián Sánchez is an Electronic Systems engineer and has more than 15 years of experience leading high-performance technology teams , specializing in digital solutions for the end customer.

“I feel very fortunate to have this appointment as CIO, where I have the opportunity to promote, enhance and implement initiatives that enable the digital transformation of the business. My main challenge is to continue strengthening our technological infrastructure and ensure that we continue to be pioneers in the use of technology to improve our services and customer experience,” said Sánchez García.

In addition, he has been part of DHL Express since 2021 and throughout his career he has participated in important projects for different areas such as sales, retail , customer service, fraud prevention and data privacy.

In his new role, Adrián Sánchez will be directly responsible for the IT area , with the main objective of guaranteeing excellent quality of operation and service of the company through the path of digitalization.

On the other hand, Arturo Fonseca , who was previously CIO, has held the vice presidency of Operations since April of this year.

He is a Telematics Engineer, with almost 20 years in different areas within DHL Express , which has allowed him to acquire comprehensive knowledge of the company and manage successful local and regional projects.  

In his new position, Fonseca is responsible for the operation of gateways , hubs , air and land networks, service quality and customer integrations, security and protection , as well as being co-responsible for pick up & delivery operations .

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Google has reached an agreement with DHL for the express delivery of technology devices in the Devices and Services business unit in the Americas, Asia and Europe through the DHL Express GoGreen Plus service with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), as part of its commitment to decarbonization in air cargo transportation.

“Google aims to achieve net zero emissions across its operations and value chain by 2030. Optimizing how we transport Google devices around the world is a key part of this journey. That’s why we are delighted to collaborate with partners like DHL, who share our passion for Net-Zero. The SAF program is a great step forward in that direction,” said Omar Molina, director of Global Transportation for the company.

The dialogue between Google and DHL Express began during DHL’s Sustainable Logistics Era Global Summit in April 2023, which brought together key decision-makers, opinion leaders and stakeholders to discuss cleaner and more sustainable logistics. ecological. They then carried out a pilot project last June for four months, using SAF, which was successful.

“We are confident that this agreement and Google’s significant investment will encourage others to follow suit and contribute to the transition to low-emission transportation services powered by sustainable aviation fuel,” John Pearson, global CEO of DHL Express.

In a statement they reported that DHL Express launched GoGreen Plus in 2023, which uses SAF to allow its customers to reduce CO2e emissions associated with their shipments. It is currently supported by three of the largest contracts in the sector with BP, Neste and World Energy.

SAF is produced from renewable raw materials with a sustainable energy profile, such as used cooking oil, waste and hydrogen. Conventional, carbon-intensive aviation fuels or kerosene are derived from crude oil.

GoGreen Plus is part of DHL Group’s goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 . With around 70% of the company’s carbon footprint coming from its air network, sustainable air transport solutions are important for creating sustainable logistics operations.

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