For more than three decades, North America’s manufacturing competitiveness has been measured by one fundamental principle: the origin of goods. From NAFTA to the current USMCA, rules of origin and regional content requirements have been the mechanism for determining which products can benefit from preferential tariff treatment. However, a new school of thought suggests that the real challenge for the region is no longer where a product is manufactured, but rather how capable the supply chain is of moving it reliably, safely, and sustainably .

That is the thesis put forward by researchers Gastón Cedillo and Christopher Mejía Argueta in an analysis published by Supply Chain Management Review , where they propose evolving from traditional “rules of origin” towards “rules of resilience” , capable of recognizing the strategic value of logistics networks in an environment marked by uncertainty.

The proposal takes on particular relevance at a time when North America is seeking to consolidate itself as a productive bloc in the face of global geopolitical tensions and the realignment of supply chains resulting from nearshoring . According to the authors, the disruptions of recent years have exposed a structural weakness: knowing where a good was manufactured does not provide information about whether it can cross borders efficiently, safely, and at competitive costs.

The problem is that the main risks are no longer concentrated in production plants. Border closures, cargo theft, digital logistics fraud , infrastructure congestion, labor disputes, energy disruptions, and geopolitical tensions have become factors capable of eroding the value of a commodity even after it has been manufactured.

From this perspective, Mexico faces one of its greatest challenges . The increase in cargo theft, the saturation of some border crossings, port bottlenecks, and the need to modernize customs processes are all factors that could directly impact regional competitiveness. The discussion, therefore, shifts from focusing exclusively on the regional content of a product to the capacity of logistics corridors to guarantee operational continuity.

To measure this capacity, the authors propose four dimensions: reliability, security, redundancy, and governance . The first refers to the predictability of transit times; the second, to protection against theft and fraud; the third, to the existence of alternative routes, suppliers, and crossings; and the fourth, to institutional coordination among authorities and agencies involved in the cross-border movement of goods.

The proposal goes beyond a conceptual approach. Cedillo and Mejía Argueta suggest creating a Logistics Resilience Credit Score , a kind of rating that would reward logistics chains with the best performance in variables such as transit time variability, cargo loss rates, emissions, and route redundancy. Following this logic, resilience could become a recognized economic asset within the region’s trade mechanisms.

They also propose a Digital Resilience Certificate , capable of documenting and verifying the logistical performance of each shipment, similar to how a certificate of origin currently operates. The goal would be to generate trust, traceability, and transparency among exporters, carriers, authorities, insurers, and customers.

Although the proposal is still in the academic sphere, the approach aligns with an increasingly evident reality for industry: North America’s competitive advantage will no longer depend solely on producing within the region, but rather on the ability to move goods smoothly in an increasingly complex environment . In this context, the upcoming review of the USMCA could open the door to a conversation that goes beyond rules of origin and positions logistical resilience as a new indicator of regional economic integration.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @Enrique Duarte Rionda  /  @GrupoT21

El cargo From rules of origin to resilience rules: the new bet for North American competitiveness apareció primero en T21.

The auto parts industry is going through one of its most decisive periods. The renegotiation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), trade tensions with the United States, and nearshoring 2.0 are redefining the conditions under which the sector will operate in the coming years.

Gabriel Padilla, general director of the National Auto Parts Industry (INA) , highlighted during his participation in the Mexico’s Nearshoring & Logistics Auto Industry Summit that the country has a privileged position in North America, but warned that maintaining that leadership will depend on reducing regulatory uncertainty and strengthening the national supply chain .

Mexico has ceased to be merely an assembly platform and has become a hub for advanced manufacturing. It is currently the leading supplier of auto parts to the United States, and the integration of the regional supply chain has transformed the country into a strategic player for North American competitiveness.

According to the INA, 43% of the auto parts used by US manufacturing come from Mexico , reflecting a deeply integrated supply chain.

“We have more than two thousand auto parts producers in the country, we generate more than 850,000 direct jobs and the value of production is over 119 billion dollars (mdd) annually; we are the most indispensable part of the supply chain, not only in Mexico, but at a regional level,” he said.

The executive emphasized that the review of the USMCA will define the rules of competitiveness in the coming years . In that context, he noted that the sector seeks to preserve free trade for auto parts that comply with the rules of origin and avoid new requirements that increase costs or limit regional integration.

One of the central concepts of his presentation was nearshoring 2.0 , which, he said, no longer consists solely of bringing production closer to consumer markets; it involves redesigning entire supply chains under criteria of resilience, traceability, economic security, sustainability and preferential market access.

He explained that flexible electrification, software -defined vehicles , productive regionalization, resilience and productive sustainability are the trends that are redefining nearshoring 2.0.

For Padilla, competitiveness no longer depends solely on labor costs. Today, companies evaluate factors such as energy availability, logistics infrastructure , water, specialized talent, digitalization, and regulatory certainty before deciding on new investments.

The uncertainty generated by US trade policy continues to delay investment projects, even though production remains positive. In the first quarter of 2026, auto parts manufacturing totaled $31.185 billion , a 9.58% increase compared to the same period in 2025.

Padilla noted that companies have chosen to postpone expansion decisions while the new business environment resulting from the review of the USMCA and the tariff measures promoted by the United States is being defined.

Another challenge identified was strengthening regional content. To achieve this, it was considered essential to develop a larger base of Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers, reduce dependence on inputs from Asia, and close gaps in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, automotive electronics, advanced materials, software , and artificial intelligence (AI).

The director of the INA emphasized that the next wave of investment will come seeking engineering, automation, and technological development capabilities. Therefore, Mexico must evolve from a highly efficient manufacturing platform to a technological one capable of designing, validating, and developing components from North America.

The success of the auto parts sector will depend on maintaining clear rules and strengthening regional investment, where the review of the USMCA should become an opportunity to deepen North American production integration and not an obstacle to competitiveness in the region.

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

El cargo North American auto parts industry in a period of redefinition: INA apareció primero en T21.

After growing 3.4% month-on-month in April, Mexican mining and metallurgical production fell 0.2% during May 2026 compared to April, reported the  National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) .

On an annual basis, the setback was more pronounced. In the fifth month of the year, mining and metallurgical production fell by 3.3% , according to the Mining and Metallurgical Industry Statistics (EIMM), which provides information on the activity of this sector in order to generate timely indicators.

The annual result marked the third consecutive decline in the country’s mining and metallurgical production —which encompasses activities of extraction, processing, smelting and refining of metallic and non-metallic minerals—.

During the period,  copper  production rose 5.3% annually, while  non-coking coal  —used for electricity generation—grew 1.8%. Fluorite increased 1.6%. Meanwhile, zinc, silver, and gypsum advanced 1.5%, 1%, and 0.1%, respectively, year-on-year.

Conversely, the largest declines in mining and metallurgical production during the cycle were in  gold  with 16.1%,  lead  with a drop of 12.5%, sulfur with a decrease of 4.4% and iron pellets with a decline of 1.5% annually.

By state, Sonora and Guerrero stood out in gold production, San Luis Potosí in silver and fluorite, Durango in lead and zinc, Sonora in copper, Colima in iron, and Veracruz in sulfur production.

The Mexican mining and metallurgical industry is one of the topics being discussed in the negotiations of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) , especially regarding tariffs on steel and aluminum, as well as critical minerals , including lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper and rare earth elements, which are fundamental for clean energy technologies, electrification, digitalization and the energy transition.

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El cargo Mexico’s mining and metallurgical production declines in May apareció primero en T21.

Exporting no longer depends solely on distributors, trade offices , or large infrastructure investments. The growth of e-commerce has opened a new route for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Mexico to access international markets, especially the United States, where demand for Mexican products continues to rise.

In an interview with T21 , Tania Caldú, International Sales Leader at Amazon Mexico , explained that this change has allowed more companies to consider exporting as a natural extension of their business once they consolidate their sales in the domestic market.

“Many companies first learn to sell online in Mexico and, once they master that channel, they look to expand into other markets,” he noted.

Currently, more than three thousand Mexican companies market their products abroad through Amazon’s International Sales program , mainly to the United States, a figure that registered a growth of 12% during the last year.

The executive emphasized that exporting continues to pose a challenge for many SMEs due to regulatory, logistical, and customs compliance issues. However, she assured that Amazon is working to simplify this process through training tools, consulting, and logistics solutions.

Among them is Seller University , a platform with tutorials on regulation and international trade, as well as partnerships with logistics providers that offer preferential conditions for shipping goods to the United States.

“The first challenge is always understanding what regulatory requirements a product needs to meet to be sold in another country. Then comes international logistics, and once the seller is already operating, we support them with tools for advertising, inventory management, and business growth,” he commented.

Logistics remains a differentiator

Although e-commerce has raised consumer expectations regarding delivery speed, Caldú assured that this remains one of the main factors in purchasing decisions, along with price and product variety.

To meet this demand, Amazon promotes a scheme among international sellers whereby products are sent to logistics centers in the United States , and the company itself handles storage, distribution, and customer service.

“This allows a product manufactured in Mexico to be delivered to the consumer in the United States even on the same day. The customer continues to look for price, selection, and delivery speed, and Amazon continues to innovate to improve these three pillars,” he stated.

The company also continues to expand its global infrastructure, which currently integrates 20 international stores , making it easier for a Mexican seller to later scale into markets such as Canada, Europe, Japan, or Australia .

According to Caldú, the growth of e-commerce in Mexico has also boosted companies’ interest in exporting through digital channels.

He added that the proximity to the United States, the existence of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) , and the size of the U.S. market represent an opportunity that many Mexican companies have not yet taken advantage of.

“The United States is a market 10 times larger than Mexico. The Hispanic market alone represents around 65 million consumers who seek products that connect them to their roots, but we also see a growing interest from American consumers in quality and specialized Mexican products,” he said.

The executive invited companies to take advantage of the available tools to take the step towards internationalization.

“The seller can focus on growing their business while Amazon facilitates a large part of the logistics operation. It opens the door to a much larger market and, subsequently, to other international markets,” he emphasized.

Technology and artificial intelligence

The executive noted that technology is another factor that has helped reduce barriers to the internationalization of Mexican companies.

Amazon is incorporating generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to optimize product listings, advertising campaigns, inventory management, and consumer recommendations.

“We are developing tools that help both sellers and customers. From improving product listings to increase conversion rates, to summarizing reviews to facilitate purchasing decisions and make advertising more efficient,” he explained.

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El cargo E-commerce reduces barriers for Mexican companies to export to the US: Amazon apareció primero en T21.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

China will be the “fourth participant” in the review

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

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

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

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

Diversification with Canada

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

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

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

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

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

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

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @Jennifer Galindo  /  @GrupoT21

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

CANCUN, Q. ROO.- 2025 was marked by uncertainty generated by tariff decisions and the economic problems faced in various regions of Latin America.

In this context, Cummins ‘ results in the first quarter showed a 3% increase in sales compared to the same period in 2025, where it is noteworthy that Mexico and Latin America maintained their 6% share of the corporation’s overall results, which, according to Jorge Machuca, leader of the Engine Segment for Cummins Hispanic America, is a positive result for the region.

In addition to maintaining its participation in the corporation’s global results, Machuca highlighted that despite the “noise” that may have been generated with the renegotiation of the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (USMCA), the country has benefited from investments and it is expected that more resources and operations will be channeled to the national territory .

“During 2025, in complex times, nine million dollars (mdd) were allocated to activities in Mexico, purchases have increased and the manufacturing plants in San Luis Potosí, Ciudad Juárez, Monterrey and Guadalajara have been consolidated,” Machuca added.

In this regard, Lucía López, commercial director of Cummins, stated that the corporation regionalizes manufacturing, so the components required in Latin America are produced in this same area, favoring operations in these countries .

Jorge Machuca explained that in addition to manufacturing, they are repositioning some service areas that were mainly located in Asia, and which are focused on service issues. “It’s not just manufacturing; there are centralized areas we have, such as finance, information technology , among others, and we are constantly analyzing what opportunities there are to move some operations from one place to another.”

Portfolio diversification

Given the current energy situation in Mexico, Cummins specialists stated that the use of diesel should not be “demonized,” as it is the most viable option for promoting the decarbonization of road transport.

Lucía López specified that after the X15 engine was introduced in the second half of 2024, it is estimated that by the end of 2026 there will be approximately 20,000 units in operation.

Within this same family, there is the X15N (natural gas) and it is estimated that by 2026 there will be 650 units in circulation, where when analyzing the Total Cost of Operation (TCO), in some cases it turns out to be a better option for the transport sector.

For the mid-range, the B6.7 and L9 engines are integrated for all types of operation. “The B6.7 is the best-selling engine in Latin America precisely because of the versatility it offers,” López noted.

Regarding the powertrain complement, Federico García, Director of Sales and Service for Cummins Drivetrain and Braking Systems, highlighted that the RT-160 HE rear axle will be in production by the end of this year and the beginning of 2027 , “among its advantages is using 5.1 liters less oil, impacting operating costs.”

From the perspective of managers, in order to make evident the benefits of fleet modernization by incorporating more up-to-date and safer components, the key is to be close to verify in the field the results obtained and the competitive advantages that can be offered.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @Didier Ramírez Torres / Sent / @GrupoT21

El cargo Cummins “revolutionizes” presence in Mexico; diversified portfolio boosts results apareció primero en T21.

The positive trend shown by trade between Mexico and the United States in recent months continued in May 2026, when the country’s exports to the United States totaled 54,179.6 million dollars (USD) , a growth of 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025, according to figures from the  US Census Bureau .

This represents a record for Mexican goods shipped to the United States since records began, a result of the country’s preferential access to the U.S. market. Mexico’s main exports to the United States are computers, televisions, vehicles, auto parts, electrical equipment, machinery, and other manufactured goods.

Meanwhile, Canada totaled $36,337.2 million , representing a 21.2% year-on-year increase; while China exported goods to the United States worth $23,507.8 million , 15% more than in May 2025, according to an analysis by  T21 Business Intelligence .

The figures for Canada and China last May represented a rebound after a period of fluctuations. Canada’s recovery is explained by sales to the United States of crude oil, vehicles, auto parts, machinery, and equipment; while China’s recovery is mainly due to technological products, driven by the demand generated by artificial intelligence.

Meanwhile, total trade between Mexico and the United States reached $87.23 billion in May, a 17.4% increase compared to May 2015. Canada’s trade totaled $66.128 billion, representing a 13.5% increase over the same period last year. China’s trade reached $32.6252 billion, a 21.2% year-on-year increase.

In the cumulative period from January to May 2026, Mexico totaled $404,566.5 million , Canada totaled $307,479.3 million, and China $150,060.7 million.

In terms of imports, Mexico purchased US goods worth $33.05 billion in May 2026, a 17.4% increase compared to May 2025. Canada registered $29.79 billion, a 5.3% increase over the same month last year. During the same period, China imported US products worth $9.117 billion, 40.7% more than in May 2025.

In May 2026, Mexico reaffirmed its leadership in trade with the United States , positioning itself as the largest supplier of goods to the United States and as the main buyer of products from its northern neighbor.

The above reflects the integration of Mexican foreign trade in the North American region, despite the fact that the occupant of the White House, Donald Trump, has shown his disagreement with the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (USMCA) , which he has decided to review annually instead of extending for 16 years.

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

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El cargo Mexico consolidates its trade position with the US during May apareció primero en T21.

“Logistics never stops, and the supply chain must always move forward, even with outstanding payments.” Under this premise, Ricardo Meza, Sales Manager at Transportes de Trailers Toluca (Trattosa) , warned that liquidity problems have become one of the main challenges for freight transport in Mexico .

Delays in payments from customers and shippers are forcing companies in the sector to finance a significant part of the supply chain with their own resources, compromising their operational capacity .

In an interview with T21, Meza pointed out that non-payment represents one of the biggest pressures on this industry, since companies must keep their fleets in operation while waiting for the release of funds for the services they provide.

“Today the logistics chain is supporting all payments and financing the supply chain,” said Meza, who explained that this situation makes it difficult to cover essential expenses such as vehicle maintenance, fuel purchases, operator payments, and other costs necessary to maintain the flow of goods in the country.

The problem is relevant due to the strategic role that road transport plays within the Mexican economy.

According to the Mexican Transportation Institute (IMT) , approximately 84% of all goods transported within the country are moved by road , making road transport the main link for supplying various industries such as manufacturing, automotive, mining, and agri-food.

The situation worsens when considering the importance of trucking to the country’s economy. According to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) , this sector contributes 3.8% to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) .

Operating costs, the other challenge

Ricardo Meza added that the second major challenge for freight transportation is the increase in operating costs, particularly due to rising fuel prices. According to estimates from the National Chamber of Freight Transportation (Canacar) , the sector incurred additional expenses of 22.015 billion pesos (MXN) in 2025 due to the increase in fuel prices, with diesel continuing to be one of the main components of the trucking industry’s cost structure.

According to PETROIntelligence , the national average price of diesel was 27.128 pesos per liter on July 1, despite the Mexican government’s tax incentives to keep the price of this fuel below 27 pesos per liter.

To cope with this financial pressure, Trattosa has chosen to maintain a permanent dialogue with its clients to renegotiate rates and pass on some of the increased costs to the shippers, with the aim of preserving the viability of operations.

In this context, payment delays not only affect the liquidity of carriers, but also generate a domino effect on the entire logistics chain, by limiting the capacity to invest in maintenance, fleet renewal and hiring of operators.

Meza considered that, despite the complex environment, the second half of the year could present better conditions for road transport, provided that there is greater awareness among participants in the supply chain about the value that freight transport brings to the functioning of the economy.

The executive emphasized that logistics should be viewed as a strategic activity, not merely an operating cost. “We need to place more value on the supply chain because it is crucial for Mexico and the world,” he stated.

Regarding the business environment due to the renegotiation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) , he believes that companies will need to adapt to regulatory and operational changes , although he ruled out the possibility that this will hinder logistics activity. In his opinion, the sector has demonstrated its ability to adjust to changing circumstances.

This view aligns with that of the Ministry of Economy , which identifies North American regional integration as one of the main drivers of Mexican foreign trade, where logistical efficiency is crucial for maintaining the competitiveness of Mexican exports to the United States, the country’s main trading partner. In April 2026 alone, Mexico shipped goods to its northern neighbor worth US$50.692 billion , a 21.1% increase compared to the same month in 2025.

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El cargo The challenge of operating the logistics chain under the brake of non-payments apareció primero en T21.

Marcelo Ebrard, head of the Ministry of Economy (SE) , reported that after a virtual meeting with Jamieson Greer,  United States Trade Representative (USTR) ; and Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s Minister of Trade, the United States opted to conduct annual reviews of the USMCA .

With this position from the United States, the extension of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) for another 16 years is ruled out , so the trade agreement will be reviewed annually for the next 10 years (until 2036), which will generate uncertainty for companies that produce goods in the North American region, as well as in the country’s logistics sector.

Ebrard added that another conversation with his North American counterpart will take place on July 20 in Mexico, and will be a formal review of the USMCA, with the aim of making progress on pending issues.

“There we will have the opportunity to move forward so that the review, now foreseen by the treaty that begins today, can practically be carried out and we can conclude it within a reasonable timeframe,” the Mexican official explained in a video on his social media.

Later, in a press conference, he ruled out any intention on the part of the three countries to abandon the treaty , although he said that the United States has around 14 concerns, including the loss of jobs in some manufacturing sectors and the trade deficit it has with other countries.

According to figures from the  US Census Bureau , the northern neighbor recorded a trade deficit with Mexico of 15,348.5 million dollars (USD) in April 2026.

Ebrard Casaubon reiterated that despite the United States’ position, the parties retain the possibility of agreeing to an extension at any time during the next decade, and insisted that this decision will not have immediate effects on regional trade , since “the treaty will continue to function as currently planned. There would be no modifications.”

He emphasized that Mexico has the highest and most complex rules of origin in the world . “No competitor has to have 75% regional integration. None. In fact, it’s one of Mexico’s strongest arguments. How is it possible that South Korea, Japan, the European Union, and several other countries have 15 rules without any? And we have 25 more rules. So, clearly, that’s one of the major issues to resolve.”

He also ruled out any impact on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Mexico. “I don’t think it will suffer such an unexpected change. They’ve already factored it in. I continue to receive information from companies about investments; some I can’t announce now, but based on the indicators I saw today, the market already knew this would happen.”

Despite what Ebrard said, the  Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) indicated that FDI attracted by Mexico in 2025 fell 5% annually, and that announcements of new projects plummeted 43% compared to 2024.

It is worth remembering that Article 34.7 of the USMCA establishes that the first joint review will be carried out on July 1, 2026, for the purpose of evaluating the functioning of this agreement, formulating recommendations and, if necessary, adopting pertinent measures.

Impact on road transport and the logistics sector

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

In this 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, such as the automotive industry.

Nearshoring could also be at risk , as Mexico has attracted investment due to its proximity to the United States and the preferential access guaranteed by the USMCA. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, Mexico reached US$23.591 billion in FDI , representing a 10.4% increase compared to the same period in 2025, according to data from the Ministry of Economy.

In addition, some relocation projects could target other markets considered more stable in commercial terms.

According to the above, for the logistics sector the main problem would be constant uncertainty, since in a scenario where every year there is the possibility of reviewing relevant aspects of the USMCA it could raise the cost of transport, reduce investment and make it difficult to plan supply chains in North America.

In a context where Mexico seeks to consolidate itself as a nearshoring platform , the stability of the trade framework remains one of the main assets to attract investment, strengthen freight transport and maintain the competitiveness of the region.

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El cargo USMCA, on track for annual reviews: Ebrard; how would it impact the logistics sector? apareció primero en T21.

In May 2026, Mexican exports totaled 69 billion 544 million dollars (USD) , which represented an increase of 25.4% compared to the same month of 2025, according to the Mexican Merchandise Trade Balance (BCMM), prepared by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) .

Meanwhile,  the trade balance showed a surplus of $2.259 billion , compared to $4.520 billion in April.

“The reduction in the trade surplus between April and May originated from a smaller surplus in the non-oil trade balance, since the deficit in the oil trade balance remained at a similar level in that same comparison,” Inegi noted.

Export performance

The increase in Mexican exports stemmed from a 25.6% rise in non-oil exports and an 18% increase in oil exports. Within non-oil exports, those destined for the United States increased by 27.2% year-on-year, while those destined for the rest of the world rose by 17.7% annually.

In the fifth month of 2026,  the value of exports of manufactured products was 62 billion 99 billion dollars , representing an increase of 25.1% year-on-year.

The most significant advances were observed in exports of machinery and special equipment for various industries (98.1%), mining and metallurgy products (47.2%), electrical and electronic equipment and apparatus (13.8%), plastic and rubber products (4.3%) and food, beverages and tobacco (4.2%).

Meanwhile, exports of automotive products showed an annual drop of 2.2% , which resulted from a 3.5% decrease in sales channeled to the United States and a 5.7% increase in those directed to other markets.

In May 2026,  the value of agricultural and fisheries exports was US$1.997 billion , representing a 2.2 percent year-on-year increase. The most significant year-on-year growth was recorded in exports of grapes and raisins (65.4%), tomatoes (45.2%), and fresh vegetables and legumes (28.4%).

In the first five months of this year, the structure of the value of merchandise exports was manufactured goods 91%, agricultural goods 3.2%, non-oil extractive products 3%, and oil products 2.8 percent.

Imports are on the rise 

In May 2026,  the value of merchandise imports was $67.285  billion , representing an annual growth of 24 percent.

In the month under comparison, imports of  consumer goods  totaled $8.305 billion, a year-on-year increase of 6.5 percent. Meanwhile, imports  of intermediate goods  reached $54.314 billion, 29.8% higher than the figure reported in May 2025.

Imports  of capital goods  reached 4.667 billion dollars, which implied an annual increase of 1.6 percent.

In the period January-May 2026, the structure of the value of imports was intermediate goods 80.1%, consumer goods 12.6%, and capital goods 7.3 percent.

According to the BCMM results, Mexican foreign trade figures, especially exports, reveal the dynamism that the country has in the North American economy, although on several occasions the President of the United States, Donald Trump, has rejected the entry of Mexican products into the United States.

Just last June 10, Trump reiterated his threats not to continue with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) .

“I don’t know if I’m going to renew it because, to be honest, the United States is doing much better. We don’t need anything that Canada has, we don’t need anything that Mexico has, but they need everything we have and they have to treat us better,” the White House occupant stated.

Meanwhile, the negotiating teams from the three USMCA countries are preparing for the review of this trade agreement.

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El cargo Unstoppable! Mexican exports accelerate in May apareció primero en T21.