Tatiana Clouthier’s Resignation Causes Uncertainty: AMIA

Representatives of the automotive industry said that the change of the Minister of Economy could affect USMCA discussion panels. Tatiana Clouthier presented her resignation as Minister of Economy on Oct. 6, 2022, and will be replaced by Raquel Buenrostro.

“I want to inform you that I received a letter from Clouthier informing me that she wishes to leave the government. We respect her decision,” said President Andrés Manuel López Obrador during his morning conference, as reported by MBN. 

The Mexican Association of the Automotive Industry (AMIA) highlighted that Clouthier’s resignations could generate uncertainty among investors. “We are concerned that at this stage of the administration, we have yet another change in one of the most important ministries for Mexico's growth and development. We believe that the permanence of a Minister in the Ministry of Economy is fundamental to create much greater confidence for investment,” said José Zozaya, Executive President, AMIA, according to El Economista. 

Days before her resignation, Clouthier had announced that the deadline for consultations in the USMCA Dispute Settlement Chapter had been extended. The panels aim to address allegations from the governments of the US and Canada, which claim that the policies of López Obrador’s administration are not aligned with the terms agreed on in the USMCA, as reported by MBN. 

This is a major concern for Mexico’s automotive industry. “We have two very important issues in front of us simply with the USMCA, in addition to international treaties (with Korea and Great Britain) that fortunately are being handled directly by Deputy Minister Luz María de la Mora," said Zozaya. AMIA seeks to collaborate with Buenrostro to advance the automotive industry, wrote the association in its Twitter account. 

The industry is looking closely at the possible outcomes of these panels, as the sector plays a critical role in the Mexican economy, as Zozoya wrote for MBN. The USMCA has driven Mexico to be the seventh-largest producer of vehicles around the world and automotive parts are Mexico’s top export, according to the OEC.