The Japanese automaker Nissan warned about the possibility of moving its production out of Mexico if U.S. President Donald Trump follows through on his threat to impose a 25% tariff on Mexican imports. Currently, Nissan exports more than 320,000 vehicles from Mexico to the U.S. annually, and the impact of the new tariffs could make its business model in the country unviable. 'If there are high tariffs, it will have serious implications for our business,' said Makoto Uchida, president and CEO of Nissan.
In response to Uchida's statements, Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, stated that if Nissan decides to leave the country, it would lose the domestic market as the majority of its production is aimed at Mexico and not at exports. Sheinbaum reiterated her commitment to prevent the imposition of tariffs, recalling a conversation with Trump in which the measure was postponed until March 4.
Nissan has been operating in Mexico since 1961, with factories in Aguascalientes, Mexico City, Cuernavaca, Manzanillo, and Toluca, employing more than 15,000 people. The possible imposition of a 25% tariff on Mexican products by Trump has generated global trade tension, with the European Union and China announcing reprisals. In this context, the Mexican market continues to withstand economic uncertainty.
Nissan's future in Mexico will depend on the negotiations between Sheinbaum and Trump in the coming weeks. Data from 2024 indicates that Nissan produced 669,000 units and sold 255,000 in Mexico.
Amid this situation, Claudia Sheinbaum firmly stated that Nissan needs Mexico, highlighting the importance of the plant in Aguascalientes. The company's stance regarding a possible relocation of production outside the country suggests the pressure it faces concerning tariff policies.
