The Mexican government has presented a plan aimed at ensuring that the origin of products is Mexican, in order to avoid potential conflicts with bilateral trade agreements under negotiation with the United States. Pola Grijalva, president of the China Chamber Mexico, pointed out that the increase in imports from Asia is due to factors such as quality, design, and competitive costs, highlighting that Asia is considered a more economical option compared to other origins.
In this context, it has been suggested that China is using Mexico as a bridge to access the U.S. market, which has raised concerns in the United States. Gerardo Tajonar, president of ANIERM, emphasized that Mexican importers have increased their acquisitions of Asian products, anticipating an adverse scenario in the trade war between the U.S. and China during the Trump administration.
In contrast to the United States, Asia has gained ground as Mexico's main supplier in recent years. In 2018, imports from the United States represented 46.5%, while Asia reached 40.5% in 2024, surpassing the U.S. for the first time. According to data from the Bank of Mexico, in 2024, Mexican imports from China amounted to $129.794 billion, representing 20.8% of the total, an increase from the 18% recorded in 2018. Taiwan also experienced growth in its participation.
Janneth Quiroz, director of economic analysis at Monex, highlighted that the rise of Asian presence in Mexican imports is a trend that dates back to China's entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001. Despite this, the United States remains the main goods supplier for Mexico. The significant difference in energy costs between Mexico and Asia, as well as structural issues like high energy costs and lack of infrastructure, pose challenges that must be addressed to strengthen the national industry.
