The growth recorded in the production and export of heavy vehicles during October 2026 could be temporary, because part of the rebound is due to advance purchases in the United States in anticipation of new emissions standards, warned the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor Producers (ANPACT) .

During the presentation of the October results, Rogelio Arzate, executive president of ANPACT, explained that the US market is bringing forward acquisitions of heavy vehicles in anticipation of the transition from EPA 2024 standards to EPA 2027, a situation that has favored the demand for units manufactured in Mexico.

This behavior contributed to national production reaching 16,375 units during October, an increase of 129.6% year-on-year, while exports totaled 13,518 vehicles, with a growth of 158.9% compared to the same month in 2025.

However, the association warned that these results do not guarantee a sustained recovery for the industry, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding the trading conditions that will prevail in North America.

“It’s a temporary issue. We shouldn’t declare victory over this,” Arzate said during the conference.

Trade conditions, key for 2027

Continued growth will also depend on the tariff conditions faced by Mexican heavy vehicles in the United States.

Currently, according to ANPACT, heavy vehicles are subject to a 25% tariff on their non-U.S. content, under Section 232, so the association is seeking preferential treatment for Mexico within the framework of the North American trade relationship.

In this regard, Arzate reported that they are maintaining contact with the Ministry of Economy to promote a reduction in tariffs, considering that Mexico should have more favorable conditions compared to countries that are not part of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

The CEO of ANPACT insisted that the positive performance of production and exports should be analyzed with caution, since its continuity will depend both on the evolution of US demand and on the trade policies that are defined for the region.

The association noted that these factors will be crucial for the end of 2026 and the industry’s performance during the coming year.

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El cargo ANPACT warns that the increase in heavy vehicles could be temporary apareció primero en T21.

The Mexican Institute of Executives in Foreign Trade (IMECE) awarded the Yacatecuhtli Prize to Fernando de Mateo , in recognition of his career of more than five decades in the field of international trade negotiations and his contribution to the integration of Mexico into the world economy.

The Yacatecuhtli Award is a recognition given to individuals whose career and contributions have contributed to the development, strengthening, and professionalization of Mexico’s foreign trade . Its name refers to the Mexica deity associated with merchants and trade voyages, thus symbolizing the importance of trade and those who drive Mexico’s activity in international markets.

In this regard, De Mateo’s participation in some of the main processes that marked the country’s trade opening was highlighted, including Mexico’s incorporation into the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) , the Uruguay Round negotiations and the construction of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) .

His performance as national coordinator of trade negotiations with the European Union and as a negotiator in agreements with various countries in Latin America and Europe was also recognized.

His career also includes 12 years as Mexico’s ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO) , during which time he chaired the General Council and participated in various bodies of this institution. He currently works as a professor and researcher at El Colegio de México , where he continues to contribute to the analysis of trade relations and the training of specialists.

Upon receiving the award, De Mateo expressed his gratitude for the distinction and noted that it represents a particularly significant recognition coming from a community that understands the effort and responsibility involved in foreign trade.

In his speech, he reflected on the transformation of the international economic environment and warned that trade is going through a stage marked by uncertainty, in which trade rules are losing stability in the face of geopolitical tensions and conflicts between countries.

He explained that the effects of this scenario are not limited to governments, but also reach businesses and families, by changing prices, increasing the cost of inputs, compromising supply chains , and altering investment decisions.

Added to this context is the technological transformation , particularly the development of artificial intelligence (AI) , which poses new challenges in terms of production, employment, and responsibility. In this scenario, he considered that Mexico has an opportunity to increase its participation in the value chains linked to these technologies.

However, he maintained that taking advantage of this opportunity requires generating greater national added value, developing Mexican suppliers, strengthening technological capabilities, and fostering better jobs. To achieve this, he identified access to competitive energy, infrastructure, talent, information, and clear regulations as necessary conditions.

USMCA and competitiveness, beyond the trade balance

Regarding trade policy, De Mateo questioned whether reducing Mexico’s trade surplus with the United States should become the main objective of the negotiations for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) .

The success of a trade agreement should be measured by its contribution to productivity, investment, employment and well-being, and not solely by bilateral trade balances, he argued.

He explained that the raw trade figures do not fully reflect the benefits of the exchange, because a portion of the value of Mexican exports incorporates inputs from the United States and other countries, which demonstrates the productive integration of North America.

He also warned that tariff and protectionist measures can create distortions and affect companies that produce in an integrated manner in the region, weakening the competitiveness of supply chains.

Given this scenario, he argued that Mexico should combine its international negotiation strategy with a review of the internal conditions that affect business activity, particularly legal certainty, transparency, and regulatory predictability.

Customs, a factor for competitiveness

Another topic discussed was the role of customs in national competitiveness. De Mateo pointed out that combating smuggling and tax evasion is essential , but he believes this task must be carried out through intelligence, technology, and effective law enforcement.

The priority of raising revenue should not displace the objectives of trade efficiency or the needs of domestic production, he warned.

In that regard, he stressed that a customs office must facilitate trade while still fulfilling its control functions, since unnecessary procedures can delay shipments, increase costs and affect an entire production chain, with consequences that can even translate into the loss of customers or investments.

Mexico must place international cooperation, transparency, and competitiveness at the center of its trade strategy in order to defend its interests with arguments and proposals, while strengthening internal conditions to take advantage of the opportunities of the global economy, he argued.

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El cargo Fernando de Mateo receives the Yacatecuhtli Award from IMECE for his contribution to Mexican foreign trade apareció primero en T21.

The rules of origin established in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) are leading companies to review their supply chains and evaluate the incorporation of regional suppliers, a process that could open new opportunities for Mexican companies , particularly in the automotive and auto parts industry, noted specialists from CETYS University during the webinar “Which industries will change after the USMCA review?” .

The meeting, the second episode of the series “USMCA in Key: The Border Explains the Future of North America ,”  featured Leticia Sepúlveda Fierro , director of the School of Engineering at CETYS University . She explained that regional content requirements are forcing companies to reconsider the origin of their components, as well as the costs associated with supplier substitution and compliance with trade regulations. She noted that, in the automotive sector , these requirements also involve industries such as steel, aluminum, electronics, and semiconductors, due to their role in the manufacture of vehicles and auto parts.

Mexican suppliers face an integration opportunity

Greater regional integration involves reviewing supply contracts , identifying the origin of inputs, and keeping the necessary documentation to prove compliance with trade rules.

The process described may generate short-term adaptation costs, especially for companies that already have established suppliers and need to evaluate alternatives within North America . However, the specialist considered that the reconfiguration represents an opportunity to strengthen the domestic supply base.

Sepúlveda Fierro added that Mexico could strengthen its participation in the manufacture of auto parts and electronic components , while small and medium-sized enterprises find opportunities to become suppliers to larger companies.

However, he also warned that taking advantage of these opportunities will require investments in technology , improvements in production processes and the development of competitive infrastructure, as well as energy availability and specialized talent.

Compliance and responsiveness

On the other hand, Leticia Ramírez Rubio , coordinator of the Bachelor’s Degree in International Business at CETYS University , explained that agri-food chains face requirements related to the origin of products, health and safety.

“My prediction, or what I envision, is that companies will seek suppliers with a greater capacity to document their operations, maintain consistent quality and volumes, and respond to disruptions,” he emphasized.

Regionalization can open up opportunities for new participants, although it will also be necessary to support small producers so that they can meet commercial and operational requirements, he stressed.

The reconfiguration of supply chains also poses challenges for logistics . Sepúlveda Fierro pointed out that the requirements for documentation and verification of goods can impact administrative processes and border crossing times, with economic consequences for companies that depend on trucking.

This is how the USMCA review presents Mexico with a scenario in which the integration of national suppliers could strengthen its participation in North American production chains .

Harnessing that potential will depend not only on compliance with trade rules, but also on the industry’s ability to enhance its competitiveness through investments in technology, infrastructure, and the development of specialized talent.

The image in this article was generated using artificial intelligence.

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El cargo Rules of origin drive reconfiguration of supply chains in Mexico apareció primero en T21.

The growth of Mexican manufacturing exports has not translated into a proportional increase in the value added generated within the country. This is due, among other factors, to the high dependence on imported components and limitations in strengthening domestic supply chains, according to the “Trade and Development Report 2026: The Geoeconomics of Development ,” published Friday by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) .

In the document, the organization acknowledges that geographical proximity to the United States , trade agreements, and regional production integration have consolidated Mexico as an important participant in North American manufacturing chains , particularly in the automotive, electronics, and agro-industrial industries.

This proximity has also contributed to manufactured goods accounting for more than 80% of Mexico’s merchandise exports in recent years. However, between 2000 and 2025, exports of information and communications technology (ICT) and electronics products increased from $45 billion to $110 billion, while Mexico ranked as the world’s sixteenth largest exporter of semiconductor devices last year.

Similarly, UNCTAD warns that the growth in exports with higher technological content has not translated into a proportional generation of domestic value. In the ICT and electronics sectors, the import intensity of intermediate inputs reaches 85.3%, one of the highest in Mexican manufacturing, while foreign value added represents 70.7% of the gross value of these exports. According to the organization, this dependence has limited the development of suppliers and links with domestic production chains.

The growth of high-value exports has had limited effects on strengthening national production chains , industrial modernization, and consolidating a local supplier base.

Automotive industry and USMCA review

The automotive industry faces similar challenges. Mexico has consolidated its position as a manufacturing platform linked to the North American market , particularly the United States, which received nearly 80% of Mexican light vehicle exports in 2024.

Similarly, the report notes that the joint review of the 2026 USMCA has placed automotive rules of origin, regional value content thresholds, and economic security criteria at the center of negotiations, which, according to UNCTAD , introduces regulatory uncertainty for the Mexican industry.

Finally, on this point, UNCTAD warns that Mexico’s participation in the global semiconductor value chain risks remaining concentrated in lower-margin, labor-intensive activities, mainly assembly, testing, and packaging.

Global trade continues to grow

In the international context, UNCTAD projects that global trade in goods and services will grow by around 4% in real terms during 2026, after registering an increase of 4.4% in 2025. In contrast, the growth of the world economy would slow from 2.9% to 2.6% in the same period.

The image in this article was generated using artificial intelligence.

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El cargo Mexico’s export growth faces challenges in generating greater national value: UNCTAD apareció primero en T21.

The fourth round of talks between Mexico and the United States to review the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will have to wait. Although the teams were initially scheduled to resume negotiations on September 28, Washington’s international agenda led both countries to postpone the meeting, and October now appears to be the most likely date.

Luis Rosendo Gutiérrez, Undersecretary of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Economy (SE) , explained that there is still no formal date announced, but he indicated that talks could resume next month.

“Look, we haven’t announced the topic of the fourth round yet, because, as you know, there’s the visit of President Xi of China to the United States. It was decided to postpone this a little. The G20 summit is also coming up next week, as you know, we’re in Milwaukee, so there are several events,” he explained at the end of the 5th Mexico-United States Binational Convention of the American Society of Mexico .

The postponement comes after three rounds of bilateral talks. The third round took place last July in Mexico City and included discussions on steel and aluminum, vehicles, economic security, labor, agriculture, and electronic payment services .

For Mexico, however, the timeline does not mean that negotiations have stalled. Gutiérrez asserted that they maintain virtually daily communication with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the U.S. Department of Commerce .

The next step in the USMCA review also comes with a defined priority for Mexico: to improve the tariff conditions of sectors considered strategic, such as automotive, steel and aluminum, affected by US trade measures under Section 232.

“That is Mexico’s priority: to achieve the best conditions in the world for these sectors, and that is what we are working on,” the undersecretary stated.

The official assured that the United States maintains a receptive position to Mexican proposals, although he did not anticipate a specific outcome.

“We are working towards that. Our meetings are very positive and we are optimistic that we can have results in the coming years,” he said.

Beyond tariff negotiations, Mexico’s argument seeks to use the USMCA review to deepen North American production integration . Gutiérrez emphasized that Mexico remains committed to strengthening regional goods production.

The issue is relevant for supply chains because the treaty review is not limited to existing trade rules, but also incorporates discussions on rules of origin, economic security, and dependence on inputs from other regions.

In that scenario, the negotiation has two paths for the Mexican government: defend the existing access conditions for Mexican exports and seek new spaces to increase production within North America.

Currently, around 85% of Mexican exports to the United States enter duty-free . Mexico maintains one of the lowest tariffs in the world, Gutiérrez explained.

“We have one of the lowest tariffs on the planet, 3.4 percent. We have a joint work plan with the United States to start bringing in from other regions of the world what we are currently importing and start producing it in Mexico, the United States, and Canada,” he emphasized.

The negotiation also has a compliance dimension. The US administration initially presented around 54 points . However, some of these generate new follow-up points once the first stage is completed. As an example, they mentioned the regulation of digital platforms: once the legislation is approved, the next step is to review its implementation.

Mexico also raised approximately 12 issues. These included respect for the decisions of a panel related to the methodology for rules of origin in the automotive sector, customs matters , and proposals to increase regional production of currently imported goods.

Thus, the postponement of the fourth bilateral round does not in itself modify the content of the review, but it does extend the period of technical work before both countries formally meet again.

For Mexican production chains, particularly those linked to the automotive, steel and aluminum sectors, the tariff discussion will be one of the elements that will continue to shape the trade landscape in the coming months.

The USTR itself has indicated that the 2026 rounds seek to advance rules of origin, economic security and conditions to strengthen production in the United States and Mexico, as well as reduce the presence of inputs from countries outside the region .

The timeline, for now, points to October, but without a specific date. Gutiérrez acknowledged that Mexico aims to achieve results this year, though he left the timeframe open: “We don’t know. We’re working towards it; we want it to be this year, but we’ll see. It depends on many factors.”

The fourth round of talks between Mexico and the United States is particularly relevant given the trade between the two countries. In the period from January to July 2016 alone, the exchange of goods between Mexico and the United States totaled $588,523.8 million , according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau , highlighting the level of integration between the two nations in the commercial sector.

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El cargo Fourth round of Mexico-USMCA negotiations is set for October; supply chain among priorities apareció primero en T21.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) placed the multilateral trading system at a turning point , given the changes in the global economic structure, the increase in government interventions and geopolitical tensions, such as in the Middle East, which have complicated cooperation between countries.

According to the World Trade Report 2026 , strengthening multilateral rules could increase global GDP by 2.9% and exports by 17.9% by 2050. In contrast, further erosion of cooperation could lead to reductions of between 5% and 10%, depending on the scenario.

The figures represent various possible scenarios for the future performance of the global economy. The WTO’s objective is to assess the economic costs of greater fragmentation compared to the potential benefits of deepening trade cooperation.

In the context of strengthening the multilateral system, the organization envisioned greater market openness, new disciplines for trade and digital services, an expansion of membership, and rules that would reconcile trade openness with security concerns.

In contrast, the scenario termed “geofragmented world” envisioned an economy organized around geopolitical blocs. Under this scenario, global GDP would decrease by 5.1% and exports by 18.6% . In a scenario where multilateral cooperation was replaced by a network of free trade agreements, the reductions would be 6.9% and 26.9%, respectively.

For least developed countries (LDCs), which currently account for less than 1% of global trade, the difference would also be significant. The WTO estimated that, under a strengthened multilateral framework, their GDP could increase by 7.7%, primarily due to lower tariffs and trade costs .

This warning is particularly relevant because, despite changes in the trade architecture, WTO rules still cover a significant portion of global trade. Around 72% of world merchandise trade continues to be conducted under most-favored-nation (MFN) conditions , a principle designed to prevent discrimination between trading partners.

Mexico facing the challenge of global trade

For Mexico, the discussion has a particular relevance to supply chains. In 2025, the country’s merchandise exports totaled $664,837.2 million , a year-on-year increase of 7.6%, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) . Meanwhile, imports totaled $664,066.2 million, an annual increase of 4.4%. Furthermore, the United States accounted for 81.9% of Mexican merchandise exports that year.

This concentration does not mean that Mexico’s trade with the United States operates exclusively under most-favored-nation rules, due to the existence of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) . However, it demonstrates the degree of integration of the Mexican economy with North America. In this context, greater trade fragmentation can translate for companies into more requirements, higher compliance costs, and the need to manage different rules of origin, tariffs, and market access conditions.

The effects also extend to logistics. When trade rules multiply or markets are divided into blocs, companies must adjust routes, suppliers, inventories, and distribution systems to meet different regulatory requirements. The WTO noted that global value chains, digitalization, and artificial intelligence have changed the nature of trade, while geopolitical tensions add pressure to a system designed under diverse conditions.

The report identified four factors behind this transformation: changes in economic power, greater government intervention through industrial policies and other measures, the transformation of trade through digitalization and global value chains, and increased geopolitical tensions.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stated: “As members move forward with WTO reform, this challenging time for the trading system has the potential to become a turning point for renewal and revitalization. The World Trade Report explains, with factual rigor and historical depth, the system’s achievements and the areas where its mechanisms are currently under pressure.”

According to the report’s findings, preserving the benefits of the system involves updating cooperation to maintain elements such as openness, predictability, and common rules in an increasingly complex business environment.

“The system has faced challenges before and has been able to renew and revitalize itself. We can do it again,” said Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

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El cargo WTO warns of the cost of fragmenting global trade amid geopolitical tensions apareció primero en T21.

The reconfiguration of global trade is reshaping the supply chain landscape, and Mexico occupies a privileged position in this process. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau , Mexico has not only increased its share of trade in goods (exports + imports) with the United States, but has also remained its top trading partner since 2023 .

In 2025, trade between Mexico and its northern neighbor totaled $871.5966 billion , the highest amount recorded in the bilateral relationship to date. This figure is explained by the shipment of Mexican goods to the United States, valued at $534.3149 billion, as well as the import of U.S. goods by Mexico, valued at $337.2847 billion.

The main goods that Mexico sold to the United States were light and heavy vehicles, auto parts, computer equipment and electrical equipment.

This outcome comes amid a reconfiguration of global supply chains and constant tariff changes imposed by the White House.

But the change didn’t happen overnight. In 2016, Mexico ranked third with a bilateral trade volume of $523.7294 billion , behind countries like Canada and China. That year, Mexican exports to the United States totaled $293.5006 billion, while Mexico purchased $230.2288 billion worth of U.S. goods.

The trend shows Mexico’s gradual shift within the U.S. trade landscape. In 2021, the country moved into second place with $659,763.9 million , just behind Canada, which registered $666,878.7 million. In 2021, Mexico sold the equivalent of $382,569.3 million in goods to the United States, while the country purchased $277,194.6 million in goods from the U.S.

A year later, in 2022, trade between the two countries reached $779,031.1 million . Mexico still remained in second place, but the gap with Canada had narrowed. That year, Mexico exported $452,015 million to the United States and imported $327,016 million worth of U.S. goods.

In 2023, Mexico moved into first place with a trade volume of $797,324.6 million . The value of Mexican exports to the United States was $427,898.7 million, and the U.S. sold $324,425.9 million worth of goods to Mexico.

In 2024, bilateral trade continued its upward trend, reaching $837,602.2 million . That year, Mexico consolidated its position as the United States’ main trading partner, selling $503,110.1 million worth of goods to the US, while the United States sent goods to Mexico valued at $334,492.1 million.

In the period from January to July 2026, trade between Mexico and the United States totaled $588,523.8 million . Mexico exported $358,708 million in goods to the United States, while its northern neighbor sold $229,816.8 million in goods and products to Mexico.

The figures accumulated in 2026 point to a new record at the close of this year in the trade exchange between Mexico and the United States.

This progress is not solely attributable to increased bilateral trade. It also reflects a transformation in the structure of North American production chains. Geographic proximity, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), and manufacturing integration have made Mexico a key hub for industries supplying the U.S. market.

For the logistics sector, this means that the discussion has shifted from focusing solely on how much trade exists between the two countries to focusing on how to move larger volumes, with what infrastructure, under what rules, and with what border capacity .

The increasing integration of production means that an interruption at the border, a limitation on rail or road transport, or a delay in customs processes can have effects that extend to the supply chains of both countries.

Therefore, Mexico’s position as the United States’ main trading partner is not only an indicator of exports and imports. It is also a measure of the responsibility the country assumes to maintain a logistical platform that supports a trade relationship that has grown in depth and complexity.

The debate comes to ETYL MTY

This transformation will be one of the central themes of ETYL MTY , which will take place on October 14 and 15 at the Presidente InterContinental Hotel in Monterrey, Nuevo León . The event will bring together leaders from the transportation, logistics, and foreign trade sectors.

The agenda highlights panel 1: “Reconfiguration of world trade and the new role of Mexico” , in which specialists such as Zelina Fernández, general director of Index Nuevo León ; and Miguel Cavazos, Founder – Managing Principal of Citius AG , among other prominent actors in the sector, will address the new industrial map of the country and its role within the transformation of global trade.

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El cargo Mexico’s role in the reconfiguration of trade with the US apareció primero en T21.

Given the possibility that the United States will tighten rules of origin during the review process of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the government of Jalisco is analyzing a strategy to strengthen local suppliers in the automotive and electronics sectors , with the aim of increasing regional content.

Cindy Blanco, head of the Jalisco Ministry of Economic Development , said that they will work on this agenda for 2027, with the private sector to carry out import substitution through a public-private vehicle that will specifically address this issue and promote micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

“If they tighten the rules of origin in the automotive sector and possibly in the electronics sector, we will face challenges in keeping that export engine growing, and in that sense, we are the first interested in developing this supply chain; firstly because in Jalisco, SMEs represent more than 90% of the state’s economic units, meaning we are interested in ensuring that these investments have an opportunity for integration, but on the other hand, to retain those investments, we need to guarantee them that supply chain,” he emphasized.

In an interview, he explained that they are already working on this project, as well as identifying any bottlenecks that could delay its start.

The electronics sector alone represents around 500 million dollars (mdd) that would be replaced, “if we get a percentage it would be a great achievement, we are working on the amount and understanding that some of these large companies do have room to maneuver and in others they already come with certain customer specifications.”

Blanco noted that as of the end of the first half of 2026, foreign investment had reached $1.4 billion,  compared to $1.2 billion last year.

“The investment originates primarily from the United States, which confirms that, despite the USMCA and tariffs, there remains significant economic integration between the two countries. And in terms of sectors, we have an agenda of six strategic sectors and have sought to attract the largest possible investment in them,” he explained.

He specified that this investment is concentrated in the advanced manufacturing sector, artificial intelligence (AI) servers, semiconductors, agribusiness, health, logistics and automotive.

He highlighted the significant growth in construction within the logistics sector . Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were approximately 200,000 square meters (m2) of industrial parks, while by 2025, this figure had reached nearly 600,000 m2. They expect to close this year with 800,000 m2.

The state official indicated that this increase stems from changes made to certain procedures for the industrial sector. These include modifications to building permits for developments of 5,000 or 10,000 square meters and above, which will be implemented in eight municipalities across the state.

Although the number of requirements was also reduced from 186 to 86 , “we standardized them, and now all eight municipalities require these 86 requirements, and we went from 700 days of review to 200. What we want is for the regulation to be very agile . Investment arrives turnkey and doesn’t wait for the park to be operational; we want to have an inventory ready for when these types of investments arrive,” he asserted.

With these modifications, they seek to position Jalisco within the top 3 states in industrial parks , which is aligned with the objectives of the Mexico Plan .

“The challenge is that many procedures are interconnected if you need federal, state, and municipal permits, and there are risks involved. So, what we’re trying to do here is expedite these processes and, above all, simplify them without compromising the law. The goal is to attract new investment from companies that want to develop industrial parks and to ensure that the necessary infrastructure and installed capacity are already in place,” he concluded.

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El cargo Jalisco prepares for stricter rules of origin under USMCA; focuses on strengthening local suppliers apareció primero en T21.

The review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the promotion of investment and international trade are among the main challenges for Alberto Espinosa Desigaud , who assumed the presidency of the International Chamber of Commerce Mexico (ICC Mexico) for the period 2026-2028.

“We will make the voice of Mexican companies heard in Mexico and around the world. We will defend the rule of law, promote investment, foster international trade, and build bridges so that our country can develop its full enormous potential,” Espinosa emphasized, as quoted in a statement from ICC Mexico.

Espinosa Desigaud is a businessman with more than four decades of experience in the insurance, financial, real estate and business sectors, and has been linked to ICC Mexico since 2012 as vice president and member of its Board of Directors and Executive Committee; he assumed the position replacing Claus von Wobeser, who completed a six-year term at the head of the organization.

In his first message as president, Alberto Espinosa stated that Mexico must “grow more, invest more and compete better ,” for which he considered it essential to restore confidence and strengthen the rule of law, security, infrastructure, energy and talent .

As part of his agenda for the first 100 days of his administration , he announced that one of his first actions will be to promote an Agenda for International Competitiveness for Mexico , for which he will convene businesspeople, specialists, academics and the ICC Mexico committees to identify obstacles to investment and formulate concrete proposals.

The proposal comes at a time when companies are facing a complex international environment, marked by changes in trade rules, geopolitical tensions, greater demands for competitiveness and increasing fragmentation of trade.

Among other topics, its agenda will also address security, energy, infrastructure, trade facilitation, digitalization, sustainability, artificial intelligence (AI), financing and talent development , leveraging ICC’s international network to bring global best practices to Mexican companies.

USMCA and trade diversification

In this context, the review of the USMCA will occupy a prominent place on ICC Mexico’s agenda. Espinosa Desigaud believes the country must defend and strengthen its economic integration with the United States and Canada , and proposed broadening Mexico’s international perspective to include Europe, Asia, Korea, Japan, India, China, Latin America, and the Middle East.

“Trade agreements cannot remain mere documents. We must transform them into exports, investments, internationalized companies, jobs, technology, and shared prosperity,” he emphasized.

The change in leadership comes as ICC Mexico commemorates 80 years of presence in the country. During the General Assembly of Members, the book “Eight Decades in Service of International Trade” was presented, which chronicles the organization’s history and its contribution to the development of international trade in Mexico.

For his part, Claus von Wobeser concluded six years at the helm of ICC Mexico and hands over a financially sound organization, with a consolidated membership, active committees, greater public presence and Mexican representation in ICC international forums.

His tenure coincided with one of the most complex periods for the global economy and trade: it began with the pandemic and the disruption of supply chains and went through geopolitical conflicts, extreme weather events, increases in logistics and energy costs, fragmentation of international trade and a resurgence of protectionism.

For his part, John WH Denton AO, Secretary General of ICC , congratulated the new president and emphasized the importance of the Mexican chapter within the global organization.

“ ICC Mexico plays a fundamental role in ensuring that the voice of the Mexican business sector contributes to shaping international debates on trade , investment, and sustainable growth. I look forward to working closely with Alberto to further strengthen ICC’s impact in Mexico and the Americas,” he stated.

Under the new leadership, the organization will seek to generate proposals that allow Mexican companies to take advantage of trade agreements, attract investment, and expand their presence in international supply chains.

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El cargo Alberto Espinosa assumes presidency of ICC Mexico; proposes strengthening international trade apareció primero en T21.

President Claudia Sheinbaum presented the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) as progress and a successful defense of the country’s position; however, the reality shows that the trade relationship with the United States continues to be marked by the imposition of tariffs, uncertainty, and, since July 1st—the date on which the ratification of the trade agreement was expected without changes to how it was originally signed—with annual reviews.

While the Report boasts record investment figures and a constructive bilateral dialogue based on the principle of “cooperation without subordination”, in reality the relationship with the White House is going through one of its most tense moments.

In her Second Government Report , Sheinbaum described the relationship with the United States as a bond that “has had its difficulties, but we have made the decision to always seek understanding,” and affirmed that in trade matters there is permanent dialogue with the northern neighbor.

The report positions the USMCA as one of Mexico’s main assets in the face of the complex trade scenario with the United States.

The document highlights the consultation process carried out between September and November 2025, the bilateral negotiations developed during 2026, and the permanence of the treaty until 2036 with annual reviews.

The uncertainty generated by the new provisions of the USMCA, based on annual evaluations, will impact the country’s trucking and logistics sectors, given that these sectors require investments in areas such as tractor-trailers, trailers, distribution centers, intermodal terminals, and technology.

In that sense, companies in the sector could postpone the acquisition of fleets , delay the construction of logistics parks and consider expanding cross-border operations.

Other consequences would include increased operating costs, constant process updates, and less long-term planning by logistics-related companies.

According to the Second Government Report, the Ministry of Economy (SE) conducted consultations in the 32 states and in 30 productive sectors; it received 573 responses; and 83% rated the impact of the agreement as “positive” or “very positive”.

Between March and May 2026, three rounds of bilateral discussions were held prior to the start of formal negotiations, alternating between Washington, DC and Mexico City, focused on strengthening rules of origin, reducing dependence on extra-regional imports and reinforcing the security of North American supply chains .

Since last May, Mexico and the United States have held three formal rounds of negotiations.

The report on the results of Sheinbaum’s second year in government also highlighted that 85% of steel, aluminum, and automobile exports to the United States remained tariff-free .

“It represented the best preferential treatment globally in the face of the tariff and trade measures imposed and maintained by that country on Mexican exports since 2025, under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act on Mexican exports,” he stressed.

Although this data seems encouraging, the truth is that the 25% tariffs on vehicles and auto parts, and the 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum have been in effect since 2025 and have not been removed despite months of negotiation.

According to the Report, Mexico’s trade policy in 2025 boosted the country’s trade, which reached a value of one trillion 328 billion 903 million dollars (USD), which meant an annual growth of 6% compared to 2024, when total trade stood at one trillion 253 billion 895 million USD.

According to the figures, from January to June 2026, exports reached $389.723 billion, a 24.6% increase compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, imports totaled $379.866 billion, a 22% increase compared to the same period in 2025.

As a result of these trade flows, the trade balance showed a surplus of nine billion 857 million dollars , compared to the surplus of 1.433 billion dollars reported in the same period of the previous year.

With these figures, Mexican trade is one of the sectors that does offer a solid argument for Sheinbaum’s government and reflects a deep integration with the United States.

In June 2026, Mexico reaffirmed its leadership as the main supplier of goods to the United States and once again positioned itself as the largest buyer of goods from its northern neighbor.

According to figures from the  United States Census Bureau ,  total trade between Mexico and the United States was $89,167.6 million  in the sixth month of the year, a growth of 22.9% compared to June 2025.

This result demonstrates Mexico’s high trade dependence on the United States, as the U.S. accounts for a significant portion of its manufactured exports and is a fundamental component of its supply chains. The U.S., in turn, has shown its willingness to use this relationship to exert pressure on trade, economic, and immigration issues .

The Second Government Report presents a favorable picture of the USMCA, although the overall picture is somewhat less favorable: Mexico managed to maintain open access to the US market, but has not yet succeeded in transforming that relationship into long-term certainty. As long as its northern neighbor continues to use tariffs as a tool of pressure, the bilateral relationship will remain more of a permanent negotiation than the stable partnership that the treaty aimed to consolidate .

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @Humberto Cruz Moya  / @GrupoT21

El cargo USMCA: Between tariffs, trade advances and uncertainty apareció primero en T21.