During the Latin American Automotive Congress (CLAM) 2026, held in Quito, Ecuador, the Mexican Association of Automotive Distributors (AMDA) , the Mexican Association of the Automotive Industry (AMIA) and the National Association of Producers of Buses, Trucks and Tractor-Trailers (ANPACT) signed the so-called Quito Declaration, promoted by the Latin American Association of Automotive Distributors (ALADDA) .

The agreement seeks to consolidate a regional agenda focused on generating sectoral information, exchanging best practices, and promoting public policies related to trade, formalizing the sector, and sustainable mobility in Latin America.

Among the points included in the declaration, the organizations recognized that trade integration between Latin American countries will be a key factor for the competitiveness of the automotive industry in the face of changes in global trade .

In that regard, they proposed moving towards reducing tariffs and eliminating trade barriers that limit formal exchange between nations .

The document also warns about the effects of practices considered unfair within the automotive market , such as the entry of used vehicles and the importation of new units without official brand representation , noting that they can affect road safety, environmental commitments and the competitiveness of the formal industry.

Likewise, the Quito Declaration proposes that the tax regimes applicable to vehicles in the region be “reasonable, coherent and predictable”, aligned with objectives of economic growth, formalization and renewal of the vehicle fleet.

The document argues that an excessive tax burden limits the population’s access to vehicles with more advanced technologies and lower polluting emissions.

Another point agreed upon was to support public policies aimed at renewing the vehicle fleet through tax and financial incentives for the purchase of new vehicles with higher safety standards and lower emissions. In addition, the promotion of formal end-of-life vehicle disposal programs was proposed.

The declaration also promotes formal, low-emission public transport systems, integrated with individual and urban mobility schemes.

The document was signed by Guillermo Rosales, executive president of AMDA; Odracir Barquera, general director of AMIA; and Alejandro Osorio, director of Public Affairs and Communication of ANPACT.

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The National Auto Parts Industry (INA) highlighted the importance of strengthening the productive integration of the North American region , preserving stable trade rules, and ensuring conditions of certainty for investment, after the United States Supreme Court determined that Donald Trump, President of the United States, does not have the power to establish tariffs by invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), thus nullifying most of the generalized tariffs that the White House occupant has promoted in his second term.

Widespread trade measures, such as the tariffs imposed by the northern neighbor, tend to generate cascading effects throughout the value chain, particularly in a sector where logistical synchronization and cross-border efficiency are crucial , the INA stressed in a statement.

It is worth remembering that after the US Supreme Court ruling, Trump announced the imposition of a new global tariff of 10%, which later rose to 15% , based on Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 and anticipated the potential use of other tools such as section 232 (steel, aluminum, automobiles and auto parts), and 301 (products originating in China).

According to the Association of Logistics & Forwarding Agents (ALFA) , the tariffs established under the IEEPA law will no longer apply starting February 24. ALFA noted that there are still no official rules on how or when refunds would be issued, if applicable, and added that sections 232 and 301 remain unchanged in normal customs operations.

The INA stated that in the automotive industry, the lack of certainty not only raises costs, but also introduces frictions that can translate into production delays , inventory adjustments and reconsideration of investment decisions.

Ahead of the review process of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) , scheduled for July of this year, the organization maintained that the current moment presents an opportunity to consolidate, rather than fragment, North America’s manufacturing platform. “The region faces increasingly intense global competition in electromobility, industrial digitalization, and the relocation of supply chains.”

He considered that strengthening regional productive integration will be crucial to maintaining North America’s position as one of the world’s most dynamic automotive hubs .

“The National Auto Parts Industry will closely monitor the evolution of the business environment and will continue to provide technical analysis and constructive proposals that contribute to the stability, resilience and competitiveness of the North American automotive chain,” he emphasized.

The auto parts industry in Mexico, with over $120 billion in annual production and its position as the leading supplier of auto parts to the United States, is one of the strongest pillars of regional manufacturing. Every minute, thousands of components cross North American borders as part of a deeply interconnected production system.

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The future of the automotive industry in Mexico will be closely linked to the political and commercial environment of 2026 , according to Pedro Tello Villagrán, economist and business advisor, who considered that the sector will face a scenario of high uncertainty, derived, mainly, from the negotiation style of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, and the review process of the Treaty between Mexico, United States and Canada (USMCA) .

The specialist recalled that, while in 2020 Trump described the USMCA as the most important trade agreement signed by the United States, at the beginning of 2026 he publicly declared that the treaty is “irrelevant” and that the northern neighbor “does not need cars made in Mexico”.

This contradiction, Tello pointed out, shows how trade and the automotive industry are being used as political instruments in a key election year for the United States, in which the composition of Congress will be renewed and, in some states, governors will be elected.

According to the economist, this stance represents a direct risk for Mexico , given its heavy reliance on a single market and the decisions of a single president. The automotive industry, a pillar of Mexico’s export sector, could be affected by tariff threats, changes in rules of origin, or pressure to relocate production to the United States.

At the close of 2025, the automotive industry in Mexico registered a slight contraction in both vehicle production and exports, amidst global adjustments. According to figures from the Mexican Automotive Industry Association (AMIA) , approximately 3.95 million vehicles were produced during the year, while exports decreased by 2.7% year-on-year.

However, AMIA highlighted that dependence on the US market remains high, as 78.4% of vehicles produced in Mexico were exported to the United States , and together with Canada they accounted for around 90% of total exports , which reaffirms the strong integration and complementarity of the Mexican automotive sector with the North American region.

During the virtual conference ”  Mexico 2026: A Year of Challenges for the Economy and Businesses ,” organized by the  National Association of Vehicle Tracking and Protection Companies (ANERPV) , Tello Villagrán emphasized that the review of the USMCA will be crucial for the sector , not only because of the agreement’s technical content, but also because of the need to restore certainty. In his view, Mexico must come to the negotiating table with a firm position that prioritizes clear rules, compliance with agreements, and productive integration based on real competitive advantages.

Beyond the treaty, he argued that the Mexican automotive industry must rethink its long-term strategy. Relying exclusively on the U.S. market increases the sector’s vulnerability to political shocks and unilateral decisions. Therefore, he emphasized the need to strengthen domestic production capacity, diversify markets, and move toward a model that reduces exposure to external volatility.

In that sense, the Mexico Plan was identified as a tool that, although it has fallen short of initial expectations, remains the only available strategy to promote national content , productive investment, and the development of stronger value chains within the country.

In 2026, the Mexican automotive industry will move between caution and adaptation , Tello considered.

“I believe that the path the Mexican government will follow is to align itself with the United States’ decision to build a wall against Chinese imports in order to strengthen regional economic integration,” he stressed.

Exporting companies will maintain reasonable operations and profitability levels, but expansion and investment decisions will continue to be contingent on the outcome of the USMCA and the political environment in the United States. For Mexico, he said, the challenge will be to use this year not only to withstand external pressure, but also to redefine the course of one of its strategic sectors.

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QUERÉTARO, QRO.- In a decisive step towards consolidating the economic relationship between Mexico and the United States, the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (Comce) , the NC Chamber and the North Carolina Hispanic Chamber of Commerce  signed a cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening trade ties, promoting investment and fostering business exchange between both territories.

During the 31st Mexican Foreign Trade Congress , the Comce stated that this agreement’s main objective is to promote mutual economic growth, attract foreign investment, and support companies in maximizing the opportunities offered by the North American trade agreement (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement).

During the signing, Gary J. Salamido , president and CEO of the NC Chamber, highlighted in a video the strategic role of Mexico in the economic development of the region.

“North Carolina is proud to be the number one state in the United States for doing business, where talent and innovation thrive. Mexico is one of our most valued trading partners and plays a key role in advancing supply chains and shared prosperity in North America,” he said.

Salamido emphasized that the NC Chamber maintains a firm commitment to promoting international trade and collaboration with strategic partners such as Mexico, since “this agreement will open doors to new opportunities, trade partners and business exchanges that will benefit both economies.”

The agreement symbolizes a momentous step towards regional integration , aligned with efforts to consolidate a more competitive, resilient and sustainable North America.

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The heavy-duty transport sector faces a particularly complex situation: as the world advances in a technological and mobility transition, Mexico must negotiate a revision of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) under a climate of uncertainty and external pressure.

During the  XXIII International Congress of the Automotive Industry in Mexico (CIIAM) , Rogelio Arzate, executive president of the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor Producers (ANPACT) , warned that there is no viability for profound changes in the midst of this transition, so attention should focus on strengthening the integration of North America .

“Components cross the border up to seven times before being incorporated into a final vehicle,” he said, emphasizing that regional interdependence cannot be ignored.

Arzate also listed the structural issues facing the industry in Mexico: sufficient clean fuels to operate Euro VI technologies, urgent road improvements and maintenance of logistics infrastructure, and security in key corridors.

He noted that although the industry already offers the latest emissions technologies , the lack of reduced-sulfur diesel across the country is hindering its full adoption.

ANPACT’s vision, he said, is for customs, infrastructure, and transportation logistics to become catalysts for competitiveness.

He emphasized that rail projects represent an opportunity for freight transportation, since “any train that moves goods will eventually require heavy vehicles to complete the last mile.”

In view of the USMCA review, Arzate emphasized that Mexico must strengthen its competitiveness in the heavy-duty transport sector, ensuring a level playing field with its partners, clear rules, and conditions that attract investment without slowing fleet renewal.

(Main image source: INA) .

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MONTERREY, NL –  Boy Scouts always have to be prepared, the same thing happens in logistics, you always have to be aware of all possible scenarios to be prepared , said David Eaton , vice president of the Northeast Division of the American Chamber Mexico .

Speaking at the Redwood Customer Advisory Board 2025 , David Eaton provided insight into the evolution of North American commerce , current challenges, and opportunities for regional growth.

He said that when the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into effect in 1994 , it coincided with key and turbulent moments in Mexico’s recent history.

Eaton emphasized that the integration of Canada, the United States, and Mexico is driven not only by economic reasons but also by geographic, demographic, and political ones.

“The future of North America is strong: natural resources in Canada, manufacturing and young talent in Mexico, and a strong consumer base in the United States,” he said.

However, he warned about the revision of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) scheduled for 2026, as ” it shouldn’t be a renegotiation, but it will be, ” he warned, alluding to the possible reelection of Donald Trump.

In this context, he called for the protection of the treaty, as it guarantees a legal framework for dispute resolution and creates certainty for foreign investment.

He was also critical of Mexico’s domestic conditions, noting that the country needs to implement a “self-help” strategy, reform its judicial system, invest in infrastructure, and resolve the energy crisis.

“Mexico must do better. We have lost investments due to a lack of electrical capacity,” he asserted.

Eaton shared examples of how companies can innovate even in the face of obstacles .

For example, from his position at Canadian Pacific Kansas City , he mentioned the development of new rail routes connecting Mexico to Canada, transporting everything from industrial products to snacks to Canadian supermarkets.

Regarding the region’s ability to handle the nearshoring boom , Eaton emphasized that while private rail investment has been key, Mexico needs to improve its roads, ports, and digital connectivity, as well as revitalize public-private partnerships.

“Public investment is essential. Private investment shouldn’t be a dirty word. We need the government and the private sector to work together, each from their respective positions, to build a superhighway of opportunity, shoemaker to your shoes,” he said.

On the other hand, Eaton was emphatic that without security there will be no growth and suggested that international pressure, especially from the United States, could give President Claudia Sheinbaum the opportunity to distance herself from the current government’s policies and return to a path of competitiveness.

“Globalization no longer means looking far, it means looking close. Regionalization is our present and our future. Personally, I believe there is a positive scenario for North America. One in which we move toward a kind of ‘Fortress America,’ where we recognize that Canada is not the 51st state, and that Mexico is not just the far south, but an essential part of an integrated region,” Eaton asserted.

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