Mexico's Trade Strength Lies in Its Maturity: AMACARGA

Q: Mexico is introducing four new labor competency standards for the logistics and foreign trade sector, an initiative led by the Ministry of Economy (SE). Could you elaborate on this program and AMACARGA's role in it?
A: This initiative aims to strengthen Mexico's position as a global logistics and trade hub. It is led by SE in coordination with other relevant institutions, such as Mexico's National Council for Standardization and Certification of Labor Competencies (CONOCER), AMACARGA, Mexico’s National Association of Importers and Exporters (ANIERM), and the National Association of Private Security Vehicle Recovery Companies (ANERPV).

The program responds to rising global demands and the need for a more skilled workforce. Its main goal is to boost professionalism and competitiveness across the industry. AMACARGA is actively involved in this effort, providing our associates with a critical tool that directly benefits our employees and member companies.

The excellence of the Mexican workforce is widely acknowledged. I was recently speaking with representatives from assembly plants, who told me that working with Mexican employees is easy because of their adaptability. A worker can move from one task to another and perform both jobs with the same high level of skill and safety. In other countries, a high degree of specialization often prevents workers from moving between roles. Our new certification program will officially validate this inherent capability of the Mexican worker to perform their job exceptionally well.

Q: As the new president of AMACARGA, what are your Top 3 priorities for your term, and how do they build upon the previous administration's focus?
A: AMACARGA’s initiatives are the result of a coordinated effort that has spanned two to three administrations, about nine years of work. My administration is focused on bringing these long-term efforts to a close.

The first and most critical goal is achieving legal recognition for freight forwarders. This is an ongoing process which we are conducting within our chambers and federal authorities, and we are waiting for it to be published in the Federation’s Official Gazette and then formalized into law. A second key initiative, which is closely linked to this, is the professionalization of freight forwarders through certification. We want to demonstrate our capabilities and show that we are at the forefront of the knowledge needed to serve our clients and the sector.

The third main initiative we are working on is security. We are creating a "Secure Freight Forwarder" certification by using international and national mechanisms like the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program.

With these three main initiatives, we aim to present ourselves as what we are: a responsible, secure, and professional organization. When we engage with partners abroad, especially those from the United States, we want to be seen as a body that facilitates foreign trade and serves as a secure link in the supply chain.

Q: What is AMACARGA’s stance regarding the skepticism of some analysts on the future of nearshoring in Mexico?
A: These are external, geopolitical challenges facing us as a country. The US protectionist trade policies are truly impacting us. The issues of drug trafficking are being used as a pretext to justify these policies, but in reality, they are protectionist measures.

Economists and foreign trade experts have shown that these policies are having the greatest negative impact on the United States itself. We can see how prices are rising there and how the commercial balance has shifted against them. This is because we operate in a globalized economy, which for years, has proved to be beneficial for all countries through complementarity. The United States has never been a major producing country; instead, Mexico has served as its primary manufacturing partner. The pandemic highlighted the advantages of nearshoring and our geographic proximity, making it far easier to trade with us than to cross the ocean for goods from Asia or Europe.

Therefore, the challenges we face are not a result of our actions. They are the consequences of an external policy from the United States, specifically US President Donald Trump’s policies. Our government and authorities are doing an excellent job of navigating these consequences, and this is demonstrated by the fact that Mexico has been able to manage the situation better than other countries that have directly challenged these policies and ended up with greater problems.

The federal government’s job and the efforts of entrepreneurs to professionalize and create secure supply chains are crucial. We must present an image of Mexico as a serious and formal business partner, pushing back against the perception that Mexico is defined solely by crime and drug trafficking. Just as not all of the United States is defined by its president, not all of Mexico is defined by these negative stereotypes. We must work to address these external factors and understand that they are not issues of our own making.

Q:  What is needed to further strengthen Mexico’s supply chain and trade in this context? 
A: Professionalizing our services and working collaboratively with the government and other businesses. As the saying goes, "it takes two to dialogue," and Mexico, along with the private sector, is fully willing to engage. The key is for the other side to be equally prepared for a productive dialogue.

Whenever new measures are announced, our authorities respond with patience and intelligence, using solid data. As AMACARGA, we provide SE with real figures on trade movements. This allows us to confront rhetoric with reality. For example, while the United States is our main customer, the trade balance shows that we consume more of their products than they do of ours. Therefore, taking a hostile stance against a country that is both an excellent client and a close neighbor is counterproductive.

Q: In the context of US trade policies, which sectors are showing the most explosive growth in demand, and are there any sectors that are facing unexpected headwinds?
A: The sectors most affected are those that have been targeted by tariffs. For instance, the northern states of Sinaloa and Sonora are heavily dependent on exporting agricultural products like tomatoes and potatoes to the United States. They are currently experiencing tremendous uncertainty due to the termination of the Suspension Agreement on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico.

A perfect example of this is what happened with China. When tariff threats were made, importers in the United States rushed to acquire everything they could, causing an inflation of freight costs and creating an adverse situation for themselves. Similarly, we are seeing this instability with aluminum and in the automotive industry. Non-North American automakers are hesitant about their operations, while US companies like General Motors and Ford are more confident. They recognize the value of Mexico’s skilled labor and production facilities, particularly for vehicles destined for Europe and other parts of the Americas. Mexico is well-known for its manufacturing capabilities, which is why brands like Volkswagen have been here for decades.

Other sectors, such as the fashion and pharmaceutical industries, are also impacted. These industries rely on the timely delivery of products, and the constant threat of tariffs creates fear and instability. The core problem is the consistent unpredictability of trade policy. Trump can disrupt the entire system on a whim, causing companies to halt all operations. This instability has a direct effect on our annual planning. A client's schedule that we confirmed in January may be paused in February, reactivated in March, and then halted again in April. This constant fluctuation makes long-term planning incredibly difficult.

Q: Some experts consider the tariff threat will remain until the renegotiation of USMCA in 2026. What are your thoughts on this assumption?
A: Many experts believe that these actions are a tactic to keep Mexico off balance and fearful, so that when we sit down at the USMCA negotiation table, we are more willing to concede to his demands. However, what Trump does not realize is that behind the scenes, people in Mexico are diligently working, studying, and gathering statistics and data. This will allow us to negotiate in a more intelligent and precise manner, using facts and reality to counter his assumptions, which are often based on his own beliefs.

Ironically, Trump's actions are achieving something that has long been elusive: they are uniting the Mexican people. We are not willing to be pushed around, and as President Sheinbaum has stated, "the era of conquest is long over."

Mexico is a mature and intelligent country with highly capable people at the negotiating table. These leaders are ensuring they have all the necessary information, and they are calling on every sector to unite and provide them with the data and support they need to work in the most effective way possible.

Q: What other geopolitical factors should a company consider when designing its North American logistics strategy, and how do your members act as strategic advisors to help clients navigate that complex landscape?
A: Geopolitical conflicts, such as the war in the Middle East and the war between Ukraine and Russia, are significantly impacting our industry. These situations, while far, disrupt shipping routes and force vessels to take longer, indirect paths to avoid conflict zones. This leads to higher costs due to increased fuel consumption, longer transit times, and additional war risk premiums. The problem is further compounded by the fact that only certain ships with specific flags can safely enter these regions, limiting the number of available vessels and thus driving up prices.

Foreign trade is an extremely delicate system. The slightest disruption can have a major effect, so we must constantly monitor these situations and seek out new routes and better prices to manage transportation costs.

Q: Regarding Plan México, what do you see as the primary role for freight forwarders?
A: Working with the government directly is a recent development for us, primarily through SE. Freight forwarders have existed for many years, yet we are not recognized in any law. While we have proven our value, many countries still view us as a peculiar intermediary.

A freight forwarder's true value is in managing the entire logistics process. Instead of a business owner spending resources on a team to handle their logistics, we offer a service that coordinates all parts of the supply chain, from contracting transportation and warehousing to ensuring a shipment arrives correctly and on time. This allows the business owner to focus entirely on their core competency.

To demonstrate our value to the government, we are providing information on supply chain and integrated logistics. We are also uniting all the actors in the foreign trade ecosystem, customs agents, transporters, warehouses, packaging companies, airlines, and shipping lines. This effort aims to create a unified and functional ecosystem for Mexico. Our ultimate goal is to demonstrate to the United States that we are a cohesive, secure, and reliable partner.

Q: While the nearshoring boom is going through a plateau moment, what are AMACARGA’s perspectives on the future of this phenomenon?
A: Nearshoring is fundamentally about the proximity of the producer and the consumer. It would be foolish for the United States to dismantle this process, as we are their largest market and a crucial partner. We meet all of the US requirements, and though there may be minor issues like the Mediterranean fruit fly, these are just bumps in the road that both countries have faced. 

I do not believe nearshoring will disappear; I think the United States will eventually be forced to understand its importance. This situation will, sooner or later, become more evident. The only way it ends is either with a change in presidential leadership or when the consequences of these policies become too severe to ignore.

Consider the amount of ketchup that United States consumers use. The majority of ketchup is made from Mexican tomatoes. What will they do when they do not have that raw material? Where will they get the tomatoes?

During the NFL season, the amount of Mexican avocados imported for guacamole is massive, a fact even the NFL promotes in its advertisements. While other countries like Peru or other parts of South America produce avocados too, they are not destined for the same purpose and might not meet the quality of Mexican ones. 

There are certain products that Mexico produces that are simply irreplaceable. You cannot bring them from other countries, not just because it is more expensive due to the distance, but because they do not have the same quality that people are accustomed to.

Q: How is AMACARGA working with business actors to bring more opportunities for Mexican companies?
A: AMACARGA is the main and largest association representing freight forwarders in Mexico. We are actively strengthening the logistics ecosystem through meetings and collaboration with various industry associations, including ANIERM, the Association of Customs Brokers of Metropolitan Customs (AAADAM), the National Chamber of Freight Transport (CANACAR), Mexico City’s Chamber of Commerce, Services, and Tourism (CANACO CDMX), the National Association of Fiscal Warehouses (ANAFAC), the National Chamber of Air Transport (CANAERO), and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This internal unity is a direct response to external attacks, fostering a collective effort to improve Mexico's trade infrastructure.

We are also focused on providing clients with new options, seeking alternative routes, and new markets. This includes assisting clients in finding international opportunities, a service not typically offered by freight forwarders. Our extensive international network, built through trips to countries like Spain, Peru, and the United Arab Emirates, allows us to connect foreign businesses with Mexican producers and clients.

This outreach is successful because Mexico has a very good reputation abroad. For example, at the Port of Algeciras in Spain, customs officials give less scrutiny to Mexican agricultural products compared to those from other countries. They explained this is because Mexican exporters are known for being responsible and well-organized, and they understand that their professionalism helps open markets for themselves and for others. This gives us a unique status in the global market. We are honest, ethical, organized, and professional, and that is our key advantage. 

Q: Which Mexican products can have interesting opportunities in alternative global markets? 
A: Mexican products like mangoes and various types of mushrooms and fungi are extremely popular and have a strong market, especially in Japan. Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Thailand are major buyers of some animals, including specialized insects and edible insects from certified farms.

These foreign markets value Mexican products because they come with proper official certifications, ensuring quality and safety. My clients tell me they receive animals that are healthy and well-documented, not wild-caught animals with unknown diseases. The fact that these products arrive in perfect condition after two or three days of transport is a testament to the excellent work of both the producers and the freight forwarder, who ensure the correct packing, handling, and timely process.


The Mexican Association of Freight Forwarders (AMACARGA) is the first association of cargo agents in Mexico. It is the only association in Mexico affiliated with the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) and the Federation of National Associations of Freight Forwarders and International Logistics Operators of Latin America and the Caribbean (ALACAT).