New Council for Regional Economic Development and Nearshoring

Advisory Council for Regional Economic Development and Nearshoring. President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the formation of the Advisory Council for Regional Economic Development and Nearshoring, chaired by Altagracia Gómez. This initiative is focused on concrete actions to strengthen regional growth and foster development hubs.

The council includes distinguished members from various industries across Mexico:

• Altagracia Gómez Sierra – Agroindustry, Logistics, Finance, Electromobility, Automotive – Jalisco

• Gina Díez Barroso Azcárraga – Real Estate and Education – Mexico City

• Blanca Treviño – Information Technology – Nuevo Leon

• Guadalupe de la Vega – Energy, Agroindustry, Trade – Chihuahua

• María Elena Gallego – Textile Industry – Sonora

• Concepción Miranda – Electromobility and Automotive – Aguascalientes

• Eduardo Tricio – Agroindustry and Logistics – Coahuila

• José Chapur – Tourism – Yucatan

• Armando Garza Sada – Agroindustry, Chemicals, IT, Electromobility, Automotive – Nuevo Leon

• Ana María Macías – Energy – Veracruz

• Tamara Caballero – Finance – Mexico City

• Rodrigo Herrera – Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals – Mexico City

• Antonio del Valle – Infrastructure, Chemicals, Finance – Mexico City

• Raúl Gutiérrez – Construction and Mining – Nuevo Leon

• Juan Domingo Beckman – Agroindustry – Jalisco

Donald Trump’s Tariffs. Marcelo Ebrard, Minister of Economy, explained that the United States' imposition of import taxes in 1971 raised the prices of imported goods and reduced US consumers' purchasing power. He warned that the new tariffs would have an even greater impact, as over 13% of goods consumed in the United States are imported. Companies such as General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis would be among the hardest hit. “If Mexico and Canada retaliate with similar measures, these companies would face even more significant challenges. It is a self-inflicted wound as the tariffs would not only hurt US consumers and businesses but could also lead to the loss of approximately 400,000 jobs.”

Trump has promised to impose a 25% tariff to all products unless Mexico and Canada take significant action on drugs and migration. "On Jan. 20, one of my first executive actions will be to sign documents imposing a 25% tariff on all products coming into the United States from Mexico and Canada due to their open-border policies," Trump stated.  Sheinbaum responded by asserting that tariffs and threats are not the solution to the migration or drug consumption issues in the United States. Instead, she emphasized that cooperation and mutual understanding are essential. 

USMCA. In response to Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s comments on Mexico’s role in the USMCA, President Claudia Sheinbaum highlighted that Canada’s inclusion in the agreement was due to Mexico’s advocacy during negotiations with Donald Trump. “It was President Trump who initially wanted to sign the agreement solely with Mexico. It was Mexico that insisted on the participation of all three countries,” she stated.

Previously, Ford proposed removing Mexico from USMCA, citing concerns about unfair competition from Chinese companies. At the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Trudeau directly expressed his concerns about these investments to President Sheinbaum. While Trudeau emphasized that his government intends to maintain USMCA, its future depends on Sheinbaum’s decisions. However, he did not specify which decisions were being considered.