The reform to the Customs Law published last December not only modified articles and operational rules; it introduced a silent redesign of the institutional balance in Mexican foreign trade. Under the guise of strengthening control, traceability, and combating practices such as smuggling and tax evasion, the new regulatory framework has shifted a significant burden onto the customs broker , a figure who, without being an authority or owner of the merchandise, is now at the center of compliance verification.

In a virtual conference organized by the Mexican Institute of Executives in Foreign Trade (IMECE) , Nashielly Escobedo, director of the Latin American Confederation of Customs Agents (CLAA) , and Felipe Miguel González Jaimes, customs agent and former president of the CLAA, broke down the scope of this reform, particularly regarding the new role of the customs agent in relation to the authorities involved in foreign trade activities.

The starting point is clear: the reform seeks to strengthen the oversight and control of foreign trade operations. However, the chosen instrument —the expansion of customs broker responsibilities— is generating side effects that are beginning to strain operations.

In practice, the change is structural. “The role I play as a patent holder has indeed changed completely,” González Jaimes noted, describing an environment where the customs broker is no longer limited to customs clearance—in terms of Article 35 of the Customs Law—but now assumes functions that border on the comprehensive verification of the taxpayer (importer or exporter).

The crux of this transformation lies in Article 162, particularly in section VI, which establishes the obligation to “verify” the importer’s or exporter’s compliance with various conditions. This single word redefines the scope of the service. “It involves a vast gulf of responsibility,” warned the customs broker, referring to a concept that doesn’t precisely define the extent of this verification.

In parallel, the General Rules for Foreign Trade (RGCE), specifically rule 1.4.14, detail a file integration scheme that requires customs brokers to validate, from the outset of the business relationship, elements such as the client’s operational capacity, infrastructure, facility location, tax compliance, and the consistency of their operations. In effect, this model reverses the traditional approach. “Today it’s: customs broker, know your importer,” according to Felipe González.

This change has immediate implications. The verification of tax compliance—which includes reviewing the positive opinion of compliance issued by the Tax Administration Service (SAT) —has led to the suspension of operations due to non-compliance, which in many cases is of an administrative nature. “ We have stopped operations from January onward , where unfortunately, for whatever reason, the taxpayer is not up to date with their tax obligations and their opinion is negative,” explained González Jaimes.

The problem is not minor. A negative opinion can stem from omissions as simple as the failure to submit a DIOT (Informative Declaration of Operations with Third Parties), but its impact is immediate: inability to validate customs declarations , logistical delays, increased storage costs, port delays, and disruption in the supply chain.

Moreover, this new filter has begun to be reflected in macroeconomic indicators. “It has even impacted tax revenue ,” stated the customs agent, noting that the inability to operate with non-compliant taxpayers has temporarily reduced the collection of foreign trade taxes.

The data confirms it. Customs revenue in Mexico declined for two consecutive months, totaling 101,568.38 million pesos (mdp) in February 2026 , a real contraction of 16.8% compared to the same month in 2025, according to statistics from the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM) .

In the accumulated period of January-February of this year, the country’s customs offices collected 207,591.29 million pesos , reflecting a drop of 13% compared to the same period last year.

Ultimately, what emerges is an imbalance in the allocation of responsibilities. Escobedo raised a key question: if the goal is to guarantee compliance from the outset, why aren’t these filters strengthened during the registration process for the importers’ registry administered by the SAT (Mexican Tax Administration Service)?

The response from the operation is emphatic: “The entire burden of proof then falls on us ,” acknowledged González Jaimes, explaining that, once the registry is granted, the continuous monitoring of compliance is transferred to the customs agent, who also lacks direct access to the SAT’s tax databases.

This point is critical because it introduces an asymmetry: the customs agent is required to verify information to which he does not have full access, which forces him to depend on external tools – such as pre-validators or private compliance systems – that increase the cost of the operation and do not guarantee absolute certainty.

The complexity is amplified by the incorporation of concepts such as traceability and materiality. Although these terms have been central to tax audits, their incorporation into the customs arena redefines the scope of the agent’s responsibility. “They leave us exposed in terms of our responsibility ,” González Jaimes pointed out, noting that there are no real mechanisms in place to track merchandise once clearance is complete.

In complex operations—such as temporary imports under the IMMEX (Maquiladora and Export Manufacturing Industry) program—traceability involves tracking inputs through multiple production processes, transfers between companies, and final destinations. In practice, this level of control falls to companies’ internal systems and the auditing powers of the authorities, particularly the General Administration of Foreign Trade Audits (AGACE)—part of the SAT (Tax Administration Service)—not to the customs broker.

Adding to this situation is the elimination of the liability exemption for goods that are difficult to identify, contained in Article 54 of the Customs Law. This change, which responds in part to improper practices detected in sectors such as hydrocarbons —like the so-called “huachicol” ( fuel theft)—increases the risk for customs brokers in industries where tariff classification requires specialized technical analysis.

The problem is structural: customs brokers lack certified laboratories and the authority to scientifically validate the nature of certain products. Nevertheless, the responsibility falls on them. The result is already visible: rejected transactions, increased costs , and greater risk aversion in sectors such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and energy.

In parallel, the implementation of the new electronic transmission scheme for the declaration of value (MVE) – provided for in article 81 of the Customs Law Regulations and aligned with the use of the Electronic Value Certificate (COVE) – introduces another front of pressure.

Although the declaration of value is not a new concept, its digitization and mandatory nature are transforming operational dynamics. The diagnosis is worrying: “We are not reaching 30% or 40% of companies that submit their declaration of value ,” warned González Jaimes, just days before it was due to come into effect (the authority postponed it until June 1st of this year).

The challenge isn’t just one of adoption, but of fundamental principles . Determining customs value depends on commercial elements—contracts, payment terms, Incoterms, logistics costs, insurance—that are defined between buyer and supplier. The customs broker doesn’t participate in that negotiation. “We actually receive information… we’ll never be able to determine the intentions that one company might have had with another,” he explained.

However, the responsibility for the correct determination of contributions remains. This creates a gap between the information available and the responsibility assumed , especially when errors in the declaration can lead to tax omissions and penalties.

In this new context, formalizing contractual relationships between customs brokers and importers is no longer merely a recommended practice but an operational necessity. Clearly defining obligations, scope, and responsibilities is now critical for mitigating risks.

The emerging scenario is one of a more demanding system, but also one that is more fragile in its daily operations. Administrative overload, a lack of clarity regarding the limits of responsibility, and misalignment among stakeholders are beginning to impact trade facilitation, one of the principles that Mexico has sought to strengthen within the framework of international agreements such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) .

The risk is clear. In an environment where the country seeks to consolidate its position as a strategic platform for nearshoring (relocation of production lines), legal certainty and operational efficiency are key variables. The current equation—more control, but with higher costs and risks—could erode that advantage.

As González Jaimes warned, investors first evaluate conditions such as legal certainty, the functioning of the customs system , and the level of regulation before making decisions. Under this new framework, these variables are beginning to come under pressure.

The reform, in its attempt to close control gaps, thus opens a deeper debate: whether the strengthening of the customs system can be sustained by transferring responsibilities to actors who do not have the tools or powers to fully assume them, or whether it will be necessary to rethink the balance between authority, intermediaries and taxpayers to prevent control from ultimately compromising operations.

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El cargo Customs Law, the burden of a reform that falls on the customs agent apareció primero en T21.

The recent reform to the Customs Law once again highlighted the gap between regulatory intent and the actual operation of foreign trade . At the Customs Law panel discussion during the 20th Annual Convention of the Mexican Institute of Foreign Trade Executives (IMECE) , specialists agreed that the new regulatory framework—promoted under the guise of control, traceability, and digitalization—threatens to push the customs system toward a silent paralysis if implemented without risk assessment, infrastructure, and operational clarity.

Felipe Miguel González Jaime, CEO of Corporación México Express and moderator of the panel, summed it up with a phrase that set the tone for the debate: “I no longer call him the joint customs broker, but the solitary customs broker .” With this, he illustrated the disproportionate increase in responsibilities, fines, and operational burdens placed on an actor who, for all practical purposes, has no total control over the merchandise or the accuracy of the information he receives.

The starting point was Article 42, which was formally unchanged, but which in practice carries significant weight by mandating a level of exhaustive review that contradicts the philosophy of facilitation. Zaira Padilla, president of the Association of Strategic Bonded Warehouses (ARFE) , warned that the obligation to inspect each shipment with millimeter precision negates the purpose of risk analysis and threatens to overwhelm the operational capacity of the warehouses . “We will be juxtaposing this issue of digitization and prior information with the operational reality,” she noted, recalling that in Manzanillo alone, there are reportedly more than 15,000 abandoned containers. If every shipment must be inspected 100%, she said, the entire system will be caught between the regulation and the practical impossibility of complying with it. Her diagnosis was clear: without a balance between compliance and facilitation, Mexican customs will revert to mass control schemes that have already proven inefficient.

From a logistical perspective, Juan Pablo Pacheco, former president of the Mexican Association of Freight Forwarders (Amacarga) and liaison in Mexico for the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) , defended the role of the freight forwarder as a pre-filter and key player in origin verification. He noted that the industry has developed traceability and security tools—including progress toward the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program for freight forwarders—that could be integrated into the system to strengthen advance inspections . “The customs broker is not alone; we can work together,” he stated. However, he emphasized the incongruity between the demand for detailed information and the authorities’ limited capacity to utilize it. “We send the information to the SAT (Tax Administration Service), and they don’t do any analysis,” he complained, highlighting a critical gap: the system already receives data that it doesn’t use to assess risks, leading to duplicate inspections and redundant processes.

The importer’s perspective, presented by David García, president of the Foreign Trade Commission of the Mexican Employers’ Confederation (Coparmex) in the State of Mexico, was the most stark. He recounted cases of fraudulent import permits, such as the container of copper that arrived full of sandbags despite having received “the blessing of all the customs saints.” For him, the reform reinforces the customs broker’s responsibility but omits the importer’s central role as the primary source of information . “We, as importers, are primarily responsible for knowing what goods we are bringing in,” he emphasized. But he also warned that the current system is not designed to effectively contain fraud or to address the complexity of sectors dominated by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) that lack the technical knowledge to comply with the required standards. His conclusion was damning: the regulatory framework is moving toward excessive demands without simplification, without infrastructure, and without a functional one-stop shop.

In this context, the discussion surrounding the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program emerged as a point of contention. Zaira Padilla insisted that certification should be made more accessible and accompanied by tangible benefits . “These details need to be reviewed so that risk management facilitates customs clearance,” she stated, noting that the process currently takes between a year and a half and two years and lacks basic clarity, such as the definition of “certified customs broker” or “certified transport,” concepts that the authorities have yet to define despite requiring them. Pacheco added that the cost of some certifications, such as ISO 27000 or 28000, could create monopolies and drive smaller players out of the market. “If implementation is expensive, we will lose competitiveness,” she warned.

The case of the State of Mexico reflected another structural problem: the limited—and even fearful—use of the strategic bonded warehouse due to state tax criteria that, since 2003, have required the payment of 16% VAT on transactions interpreted as sales within the national territory . “Eight out of every ten audited taxpayers had to pay,” said David García, recalling that even transactions involving merchandise acquired abroad were treated as local sales simply due to a lack of awareness and inconsistent criteria, which hindered the use of the RFE (Strategic Bonded Warehouse) as a logistical tool.

The panel concluded with a shared message: without interoperability between the Mexican Tax Administration Service (SAT) and the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM) , without effective use of transmitted data, without clear manuals, and without risk criteria to distinguish reliable actors, customs reform will be incapable of modernizing anything. Zaira summarized it with a complaint: “We have an electronic customs system, but there is no communication at the central level .” David encapsulated the urgency from a business perspective: “Ask me for whatever you want, but give me what you ask for,” demanding clear rules, defined processes, and a functional single window. And González Jaime offered the final reflection: the authorities cannot revert to the customs practices of the 1980s for fear of non-compliance; if there is advance information, certified actors, and traceability, “most goods are reliable.” The challenge is not to tighten regulations for the sake of tightening them, but to use intelligence, technology, and risk management to ensure trade flows smoothly without sacrificing control. Because, as he warned, “in the end, we will all be the ones who suffer.”

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El cargo Mexican customs, between total control and paralysis apareció primero en T21.

Mexico’s National Customs Agency (ANAM) is at a turning point. Faced with the challenge of modernizing a historically outdated system riddled with discretion , its current leadership seeks to transform the country’s operational structure toward a model of greater integrity, traceability, and efficiency. This was stated by Claudia Ávila, Director of Citizen Services and International Affairs at ANAM, during her participation in the 20th Annual Convention of the Mexican Institute of Foreign Trade Executives (IMECE) , where she assessed the role of customs in the context of global trade and the industrial reconfiguration underway in Mexico

“At customs, we don’t make the rules; we are responsible for ensuring that those rules are followed,” he stated, in a tone that revealed both an acknowledgment of institutional limitations and the burden of responsibility for an agency seeking to clean up its own image. Ávila insisted that ANAM is part of a broader governmental ecosystem—along with the Tax Administration Service (SAT), the Ministry of Economy, and regulatory authorities—that must act in coordination with the private sector to guarantee the continuity of foreign trade

The official emphasized that Mexico is experiencing a “strategic” moment as it consolidates its position as the country with the greatest manufacturing integration in North America. “From being an oil-producing country, we have become a manufacturing country (…) we are the leading producer of heavy vehicles and have a significant presence in sectors such as aerospace and pharmaceuticals,” she said. However, she warned that this position is not without risks: geopolitical volatility, the reconfiguration of global supply chains, and accelerated industrial automation are placing unprecedented pressure on Mexican customs, whose function can no longer be limited to revenue collection, but must now ensure fluidity, security, and confidence

“Changes no longer happen over years or months; they happen in days. From one day to the next, tariffs, wars, or regional blockades can force the relocation of trade routes,” he warned. Faced with this reality, he maintained, ANAM aims to consolidate a “modern, reliable, and efficient customs service,” based on three lines of action: professionalizing personnel, modernizing technology, and deepening cooperation with the private sector.

In her opening remarks, the director emphasized the challenge of “enhancing the dignity of customs personnel” through training programs and internal controls that foster a culture of integrity. “Behind every operation are women and men who apply the law responsibly and represent the Mexican State in global trade,” she noted. Within this framework, ANAM participates in the World Customs Organization’s (WCO) Anti-Corruption and Integrity program , with the goal of standardizing practices, strengthening reporting and sanctioning systems, and connecting with companies that have compliance programs: “It takes two to tango; we all have to take responsibility for combating corruption.”

The second line of action focuses on modernizing technological processes to reduce discretion and close loopholes for corruption. “ Organized crime is already 4.0. It also uses artificial intelligence. We have to beat it with intelligence and transparency,” he emphasized. ANAM is working on the automation of critical processes, interoperability between agencies, and the integration of risk analysis systems, all under the coordination of the new Federal Government Digital Transformation Agency. In this context, Ávila confirmed that unified systems are being developed to connect ANAM with the Tax Administration Service (SAT), the Ministry of Economy, and regulatory bodies through the Mexican Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCEM) .

The third line of action aims to consolidate cooperation with the private sector through the new Facilitation Committee, which is soon to be formalized. “We don’t want courtesy meetings; we want institutional agreements that can be monitored over time,” he stated. This link, he said, seeks to build mutual trust, since “customs agencies cannot and should not work in isolation.”

The director also referred to the new control instruments stemming from the reform to the Customs Law, such as the declaration of value and the traceability of operations. “The spirit is to promote formalization (…) just as the authority must comply with transparency, the company must be transparent in its supply chain,” she stated. She acknowledged that ANAM is refining regulations and guidelines to ensure the rules are clear , but insisted that the private sector must assume its role: “If your company is formal, but your supplier is not, traceability is lost.”

Regarding infrastructure and equipment, Ávila confirmed that the Customs Modernization Program, spearheaded by the head of ANAM, Rafael Marín Mollinedo, remains in effect. This program includes the renewal of non-intrusive inspection equipment, mobile laboratories, inspection arches, and state-of-the-art X-ray machines at the border, as well as the upcoming inauguration of the new Veracruz customs facility and the new ANAM national headquarters in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, the country’s main commercial crossing point.

This modernization, she emphasized, is not limited to acquiring equipment, but rather involves building a secure digital ecosystem. “It’s not just about having the machine; it’s about the software, the connectivity, the security, and the training of those who operate them,” she explained. The official acknowledged that they are working “at full speed” to integrate the systems with fiber optics and cloud storage, with the goal of achieving real-time information exchange between national and foreign customs offices

Finally, Ávila emphasized that ANAM seeks to be seen “as a reliable facilitator of trade and not as an obstacle .” Every improvement, he said, “is an improvement in national competitiveness.” And he concluded with a message that summarizes the purpose of this new stage: “ANAM has a purpose that goes beyond revenue collection: to protect the country and facilitate its prosperity. We want business owners to see Mexican customs as a reliable ally, one that respects the law and supports economic development with professionalism.”

El cargo From Revenue Collection to Trust: The New Face ANAM Promises for Mexican Customs apareció primero en T21.

Workers from the Tax Administration Service (SAT) suspended operations in some offices on Tuesday to demand better working conditions. This could impact foreign trade, as this decentralized agency of the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) is primarily responsible for collecting federal taxes, monitoring the taxpayer registry, and overseeing tax compliance .

According to Roberto Osornio , a partner at the Mexican Institute of Foreign Trade Executives (IMECE) , the impact of this strike is more administrative, since the SAT is in charge of permits and regulations , such as the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), a government certification focused on security in different areas of companies’ supply chains.

“These types of permits and authorizations are the ones we see as potentially being affected by the lack of response,” he noted in an interview with T21.

The specialist indicated that for the operational part, which involves customs procedures, there are not many repercussions , “because in the end, since the separation at the beginning of this decade of the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM) and the SAT, and ANAM remains responsible for customs , they have continued operating on the customs operations side, that is, the crossing of imports and exports; we really do not see that the flow of foreign trade will be significantly affected.”

Osornio explained that the offices that suspended their activities were mostly in the center of the country, and that this did not affect the foreign trade sector.

According to the SAT, one of the offices where the suspension of activities took place is located in Chihuahua, however, the Ciudad Juárez customs office was also not affected, “in addition to the fact that the SAT office is just three or four kilometers away.”

According to data from the  National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI)  on the trade balance , in August 2025  Mexico’s foreign trade reached 113.38 billion dollars (mdd) , of which 55.718 billion dollars corresponded to exports and 57.662 billion dollars to imports.

The SAT employee protests began at 8:00 a.m. this Tuesday, with the suspension of operations in some offices across the country. However, groups of workers took to the streets to block some of Mexico City’s main avenues, such as Paseo de la Reforma.

Among the workers’ demands are a 12% salary increase to their public servants , the restoration of cut or eliminated benefits, a balance in working conditions among different categories of workers, particularly unionized workers and liaison workers, and the provision of basic supplies and resources to offices , among others.

The workers warned that if their demands are not met, they could take broader measures in the coming weeks.

In this regard, the SAT announced, through an informational notice, that operations have been suspended at its offices located in Chihuahua, Chihuahua; Celaya, Guanajuato; Guadalajara Sur and Zapopan, Jalisco; and its East and South offices in Mexico City .

He noted that taxpayer service is being provided normally in 155 of the 162 decentralized offices and Tax Service Modules nationwide.

” For taxpayers who were unable to complete their application, the SAT will notify them via email of the rescheduling of their appointment. Any questions or clarifications can be received through the one-on-one chat at chat.sat.gob.mx for assistance, or by contacting Marca SAT at 55 627 22 728,” the agency emphasized.

In the document, the organization added that channels of dialogue and cooperation with its employees remain open and clarified that there have been no threats against the protesters.

“With the support of the Ministries of the Interior and Labor and Social Security, we maintain communication with workers to address their requests,” he emphasized.

For her part, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum dismissed the strike. During her morning press conference this Tuesday, she considered it “not something that will create a serious problem,” ruling out major impacts on foreign trade from the SAT workers’ strike, a situation that, she emphasized, is already being addressed.

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El cargo SAT strike: Will it affect foreign trade? apareció primero en T21.

The North American automotive sector must prepare for increased scrutiny related to compliance with the origin of its parts in order to continue benefiting from the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), according to experts.

“Verifications will come very frequently, much more than normal,” said Fausto López, regional vice president of the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (Comce) South , during the conference titled T-MEC and Tariff Impact (Automotive Industry) North America , organized by the Mexican Institute of Foreign Trade Executives (IMECE) .

Fausto López’s statement comes as the U.S. administration of Donald Trump has been pushing for a 25% tariff on imported automobiles starting April 3 , a measure intended to stimulate the growth of the industry in the country.

The negotiator of the so-called “next room” (business team) during the meetings that resulted in the signing of the USMCA also explained that, since the entry into force of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994 and the elimination of tariffs, Mexico’s automotive exports have experienced a 200% growth , reaffirming the sector’s integration into the North American region.

In the mid-1990s, a “vochito” (Volkswagen sedan) produced in the country barely had 30% of regional origin; today, the USMCA requires a Regional Value Content (RVC) of 75% , a RVC for essential parts also of 75%, that aluminum and steel purchases be 70%, and a Labor Value Content of 40 percent.

Currently, of the total new car sales generated in the United States in 2024, 16.3% originate in Mexico , making it the main external supplier to the United States, followed by South Korea (8.8%), Japan (8.4%), Canada (6.2%), and Germany (2.7%). According to Standard & Poor’s, 53.9% of sales come from units produced in the United States itself.

“With NAFTA, we lived in a comfort zone, and there were no revisions until Mr. Trump came along in 2016 and started saying that NAFTA was the worst agreement they’d ever signed,” López said.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has said that the country will not issue a comprehensive response to the United States’ imposition of tariffs on automotive imports until April 3 .

Trump’s latest tariff announcement allows USMCA-compliant vehicle manufacturers to certify U.S. content, and the tariffs apply only to non-U.S. vehicles. Tariffs on USMCA-compliant parts will not apply until a process is established to identify U.S.-origin content in those parts.

Fitch expects U.S. automakers to raise prices across the board, although the tariffs will affect each make and model differently. Some automakers may struggle to raise prices enough to cover the 25% tariffs and will have to make painful adjustments to production and sales plans.

“The impact of tariffs on auto parts is less transparent due to the complexity of the supply chain. Beyond higher costs, there is some risk that the transition could result in parts delays or supply chain disruptions affecting U.S. auto manufacturing, similar to 2021-2022. However, this is temporarily mitigated by the delay in tariffs on USMCA-compliant auto parts,” according to Fitch.

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El cargo Automotive sector must prepare for more content reviews apareció primero en T21.

At the 19th Annual Convention of the Mexican Institute of Foreign Trade Executives (IMECE) , Roberto Zapata , former Mexican ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and partner at Ansley Consultores Internacionales , considered that Mexico is in an unbeatable position to trigger nearshoring , due to its geographic location and, among other factors, the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC) .

In this regard, he said that it must be understood that foreign trade is the most important dimension of the Mexican economy, so in view of the review of the T-MEC, which will take place in 2026, the negotiating team must defend what it has already won.

In addition, the country must open up to trade agreements with the European Union and seek other markets, as well as make progress on internal issues, such as infrastructure investment.

Zapata said that the review will be harsh, since the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump , threatened to impose tariffs of 25% on Mexico if it did not stop the flow of migrants, which is linked to issues that are not commercial.

In response, he suggested trying to approach Trump’s team before he takes office, in order to try to deactivate that measure.

At the roundtable discussion Mexico in the world capitalizing on opportunities , Julie Poirier , trade policy advisor at the Canadian Embassy in Mexico , highlighted the achievements over the past 30 years with trade collaboration and the USMCA, which has translated into an increase in trilateral trade .

Although he said there are opportunities for Mexico due to nearshoring , he pointed out that there are also challenges that are linked to the country’s current situation, as well as energy infrastructure, the lack of industrial spaces, water supply and reforms such as that of the Judiciary.

Canadian companies have a vision of sustainable development and are ready to invest more, especially in the mining sector, he said, adding that the review of the USMCA is an opportunity for this trade agreement to remain valid and useful , and will also allow Mexico to think more about Canada and vice versa.

For his part, Jorge Peydro Aznar , head of the economic and commercial section of the European Union delegation in Mexico , said that for European companies to invest in our country, various factors must be guaranteed , including, he said, the energy issue, which must come from renewable sources. Other challenges include providing legal certainty and strengthening the infrastructure on roads and airports, and combating insecurity.

He said that for Europe, Mexico is a land of opportunity, despite all the areas of opportunity that exist, since it continues to be a stable country.

In turn, Samanta Anguiano , general director of China Chamber Mexico , said that Chinese companies seek certainty in their investments , infrastructure , energy and talent training .

He explained that there are challenges with business culture and other factors such as time zones in that Asian country. He also stated that China will be an important issue in the review of the USMCA in 2026.

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El cargo Mexico Needs Legal Certainty and Better Infrastructure to Capitalize on Investments: Experts apareció primero en T21.

Within the framework of the XIX Annual Convention of the Mexican Institute of Foreign Trade Executives (IMECE) , the specialist indicated that said mechanism offers technical information, and is made up of the business sector to work with the Ministry of Economy (SE) in the process of reviewing the trilateral trade agreement.

During his participation, he recalled that the SE requested to reactivate the Cuarto de Junto to prepare the preparatory work in said framework, and that it includes the integration of seven working groups; each of them will analyze specific aspects of the T-MEC, such as market access and rules of origin , and the one referring to the labor issue , among others.

He pointed out that the Cuarto de Junto has been in existence for more than 30 years and its objective is free trade agreements, so there are already previous experiences of other reviews and negotiations.

Judith Garza pointed out that in recent years, Mexico has become the main commercial partner of the United States , and added that since the war on the subject between the northern neighbor and China, our country has increased its participation with the United States, while the Asian nation has decreased it.

Meanwhile, at the analysis table Participation of the private industry in the T-MEC negotiating team (2026) , Fausto López , manager of International Treaties at Volkswagen of Mexico , recalled that the most challenging Joint Room was that of the T-MEC due to the threats from the United States to the Mexican automotive sector.

He said that what they are now seeking is to have an audit manual to avoid discrepancies and in the matter of electric vehicles they want a more flexible rule of origin. López considered that the success of the review of the T-MEC in 2026 will depend on the coordination of the Fourth Joint Committee with the government authority .

Humberto Jasso , Vice President of Foreign Trade of the National Agricultural Council (CNA) indicated that the importance of this mechanism is to “bring down” to a sector the issues that are inherent to it. In this sense, he gave as an example the structure of the Agro-Food Cuarto de Junto, which is headed by Juan Cortina Gallardo and has 30 subsectors, 50 productive chains and three allied organizations.

Ricardo Aranda, former general director of International Trade Disciplines at the SE and senior manager of government relations at the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry , said that he was present at the review of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) 2016-2017, and one of the aspects at that time was on the subject of labor rules, an issue that Mexico managed to fulfill with that commitment, which is why there has not been an “avalanche” of panels against our country.

In the review of the USMCA that will be carried out in 2026, it is necessary to be clear about the factors that affect each industry, he stressed and specified that it is important to have specific links so that they can make proposals on the issues that will be reviewed.

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El cargo Importance of the Cuarto de Junto in the review of the T-MEC apareció primero en T21.

Greater coordination is needed between the Tax Administration Service (SAT) and the customs sector to improve the efficiency of processes and avoid delays and other incidents at customs, with a view to Mexico strengthening its trade policy, specialists agreed at the analysis table IMECE’s Positioning on Trade Policy 2024-2030.

Within the framework of the XIX Annual Convention of the Mexican Institute of Foreign Trade Executives (IMECE) , Nashielly Escobedo, general director of the Latin American Confederation of Customs Agents (CLAA) , anticipated that the nuances of the new federal government, headed by Claudia Sheinbaum, must be seen, which must promote an attractive investment environment for which strong institutions are required.

In his participation, he indicated that for better operation, it is necessary for the customs sector to have autonomy. He also pointed out that there is a lack of resources to have adequate personnel, which can be seen in the delays in resolving some customs procedures, however, he said that progress is being made, although at a slow pace.

Escobedo pointed out that there must be joint work between the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM) and the SAT, to be more punctual and avoid fraud and smuggling.

He also applauded the installation of the National Facilitation Committee by the Secretary of Economy , Marcelo Ebrard, and indicated that its members have to work hand in hand.

Sergio Barajas, a partner in Foreign Trade and Customs at Basham, Ringe and Correa , said that there must be legal certainty in the customs sector to attract investments.

The specialist expressed concern that a soldier does not have the customs knowledge to make the best decisions, so he indicated that it is not feasible to improvise and specified that the participation of specialists in the matter is necessary.

Sergio Barajas recalled that when the customs sector made the proposal to the SAT to make the processes more efficient, the objective was to have specialization.

He also said that one of the problems facing the sector is not understanding the concept of facilitation, which has generated negative consequences, and gave the example of the delay in registering a customs agent.

In turn, Carlos Pérez, general director of Standardization and Certification of NYCE , pointed out that the transition to customs autonomy has to do with having specialized personnel, as well as the implementation of technology.

He recalled that the failures in customs systems that occurred a few days ago generated costs and delays. As a result, delays are sometimes up to 13 days, which affects all those who operate in foreign trade, so he considered that there is a need to “evolve” in this regard.

Luis Carlos Moreno, former general administrator of customs and partner of the González Luna, Moreno y Armida law firm , agreed that more cooperation is needed between the SAT and ANAM, and considered it inconsistent to limit some tasks in the sense that ANAM cannot collect some taxes.

Regarding the procedures, he said that it is necessary to define which ones are truly important, in order to facilitate customs processes.

Manuel Díaz, CEO of Supply Chain de México , expressed his concern about whether the new federal administration will propose new policies on the matter, and indicated that there is still much to be done in the customs sector.

In this context, he said that there is a problem of a lack of vision on the part of the Mexican government, which, he considered, must be changed since otherwise Mexico would be facing a setback in what it has achieved in this area.

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