Nearshoring's Promise: Can Mexico Outsmart the Populist Dragon?
Mexico faces a potential boon from US nearshoring, but Trump's policies create uncertainty. The country needs strategic planning and collaboration to capitalize on the opportunity. While integrated production is key, Trump's populist agenda could hinder progress.
In an increasingly fragmented global economy, the term “nearshoring” has become a defining strategy for nations seeking to fortify their supply chains. Nowhere is this more relevant than in Mexico, where proximity to the United States offers unique opportunities—and challenges—as shifting geopolitical currents reshape North American economic ties.
Lorena Rodríguez León, Director of the Faculty of Economics (FE) at UNAM, underscores that recent U.S. policies prioritizing supply chain resilience have thrust Mexico into a new, complex economic paradigm. These initiatives, aimed at bolstering American industries and reducing dependence on distant suppliers, present Mexico with an opening for internal development. Yet Rodríguez León cautions that seizing this opportunity depends on well-crafted national strategies and private-sector initiatives. Merely gaining access to global markets is insufficient—Mexico must pair these advantages with a coherent vision for growth.
