How Mexico is Reshaping North American Trade
Mexico's economy has transformed from a self-sufficient model to a key player in global trade. Driven by nearshoring and strategic location near the U.S., the country faces opportunities in manufacturing and tech sectors while navigating challenges of foreign dependency and demands.
In the face of rapidly shifting global trade dynamics, Mexico stands at a strategic crossroads, balancing its historical economic model with the evolving demands of globalization and nearshoring. Over recent decades, the nation's path has been redefined by sweeping changes in international commerce and regional interdependencies, a transformation underscored by José Manuel Márquez Estrada, academic secretary of the Institute of Economic Research (IIEc) at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
Márquez Estrada points to a stark shift from Mexico’s former economic model—once largely self-sufficient, relying on homegrown production and resources. Today, Mexico’s economy is no longer limited by its borders but is integrated into complex global value chains. The reliance on foreign-sourced intermediate goods has reshaped Mexico’s trade framework, with far-reaching implications for its industrial strategies and workforce.
