The Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, requested leave from President Claudia Sheinbaum for a trip to Japan that he had already planned. According to Ciro Gómez Leyva's report on his program, the communication area of the agency confirmed Ebrard's exit from the country. Additionally, the former Mexican chancellor requested leave without pay to undertake this trip before the extensive review of the Trade Agreement between Mexico, the United States, and Canada (T-MEC).
Images circulated on social media showing Ebrard in a park in Japan with his wife, Rosalinda Bueso. Marcelo Ebrard took office as Secretary of Economy on October 1, following his performance as Mexico's chancellor during Andrés Manuel López Obrador's term.
During his time as Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard held a meeting with Indian businessmen announcing investment projects in Mexico, covering areas such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, batteries and electric vehicles, lithium refining, and exports to the United States. Additionally, he participated in a meeting with U.S. businessmen alongside President Claudia Sheinbaum, where a $20 billion investment for 2025 was announced.
Ebrard has described the bilateral meetings with businessmen from both countries as very positive, highlighting that the confirmed investments for 2025 exceed $20 billion. He detailed that companies like Mexico Pacific, Woodside Energy, and Royal Caribbean will make significant investments in projects spanning various sectors.
Marcelo Ebrard's request for leave for this trip to Japan comes in the context of the T-MEC review, which must be renewed in 2026. This review, or even a possible deeper renegotiation, will be crucial for the relationship between Washington and Mexico City. The stance on this treaty review is key, especially in a context where Mexico has become the largest trading partner of the United States.
Although recently the U.S. presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Chinese vehicles produced in Mexico, Marcelo Ebrard indicated that there is no Chinese plant in the country manufacturing vehicles, disproving that claim.
