The Mexican economy benefits from its privileged location in global geopolitics, especially due to the growth of China, and from access to the largest market in the world. The Treaty between Mexico, the United States, and Canada (USMCA) has promoted trade cooperation in North America, generating economic growth and increasing foreign direct investment, especially with the phenomenon of nearshoring.
Mexico's negotiating capacity has become crucial, especially with the recent tariffs imposed by the United States. Despite efforts in security and requests from the US administration, more dialogue is needed to build solid relationships. The USMCA review in 2026 is already underway, and the private sector, represented by the "Fourth Team," has joined the Mexican delegation to strengthen negotiations.
In this context, non-governmental actors, such as think tanks, business organizations, and NGOs, play an important role in the current international scenario. Negotiating capacity is measured by the ability to achieve state objectives under specific national and international circumstances, as noted by Javier Velázquez Flores, an internationalist academic.
Mexico faces challenges with Trump's "America First" leadership, where threats of tariffs have become bargaining chips in migration and security issues. Negotiation with the United States is crucial for both countries, and the USMCA review is expected to be intense, requiring expert handling of the issues on the table.
Academia and the private sector present proposals to strengthen regional cooperation in North America and to prepare for treaty negotiations. The Mexican delegation, including UDEM, has proposed recommendations to improve trade policy and regulation in key sectors. Strengthening both knowledge of the issues and lobbying efforts, at both the national and international levels, is essential to achieving solid agreements.
Kenneth Smith emphasizes that four areas are focal points of trade disputes between Mexico and the United States: agriculture, energy, employment, and the automotive sector. In this complex environment, Mexico must maintain a firm but dialogical stance, avoiding the escalation of conflicts and betting on long-term bilateral cooperation.
