USMCA Review and Nearshoring Drive Mexico’s New Economic Agenda

The review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the promotion of nearshoring, the stimulation of private investment, and advancements in technological innovation are among the key economic priorities for the administration led by President Claudia Sheinbaum.

This strategic plan aims to position Mexico as a critical player in global supply chains, leveraging its industrial infrastructure, technological development, and strengthened trade relationships through the USMCA.

USMCA Review and Economic Strategy

Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico's Secretary of Economy, emphasized during the presentation that the scheduled review of the USMCA in the second half of 2025 will be pivotal, particularly against the backdrop of political shifts in the United States and ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China.

Mexico's strategy will focus on ensuring that negotiations enhance domestic content and add value to its production chains. According to Ebrard, the new conditions under the agreement are expected to further boost Mexico’s competitiveness within the North American trade bloc.

Nearshoring: Capitalizing on Opportunities

The Mexican government seeks to capitalize on the nearshoring trend by creating favorable conditions for the relocation of international companies. This initiative aims to accelerate growth across six strategic sectors by leveraging the country’s skilled labor force and meeting the growing demand for specialized products.

The target sectors include the manufacturing of electronic equipment, semiconductors, communication devices, magnetic and optical media, furniture, and electronic components.

Strategic Industrial Corridors

As part of the economic plan, a program to develop industrial parks in 10 key corridors will be launched. Each corridor will specialize in different sectors, such as automotive, semiconductors, renewable energy, agribusiness, and tourism, aligned with regional strengths.

The main corridors include:

• Baja Corridor (Baja California and Baja California Sur): Focused on semiconductors, renewable energy, and tourism.
• Border Corridor (Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas): Specializing in auto parts, manufacturing, and agribusiness.
• Bajío Corridor (Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Querétaro, and San Luis Potosí): Emphasizing automotive, aerospace, and data centers.
• Pacific Corridor (Colima, Jalisco, Nayarit, and Michoacán): Concentrating on Industry 4.0, agribusiness, logistics, and tourism.

Additional corridors, including Gulf, Maya, and Central, will focus on specific sectors to maximize regional productivity.

2025 Investment Portfolio

The 2025 Investment Portfolio is another crucial element of the economic strategy. Coordinated by various federal government departments, this portfolio will track and secure investments that strengthen Mexico’s national industry. The program aims to attract both domestic and foreign investments, particularly in high-value-added sectors.

Innovation and Technological Development

Promoting science and technology is a key pillar in the new administration's strategy to increase the competitiveness of Mexico’s national industry. A focus on automation, artificial intelligence, and digitalization of production processes will be critical in this effort.

Support programs for tech companies and research centers will play a vital role in these initiatives.