President Sheinbaum's Message to American Business Leaders

Mexico. Land of fiery cuisine, breathtaking landscapes, and now, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, the President of the United Mexican States, standing proudly at the helm of a pivotal moment in the nation’s journey. And what better setting than the National Palace, where Sheinbaum graced a summit packed to the rafters with 240 high-powered businesspeople from Mexico and the United States, the kind of people who probably know more about stocks and bonds than how to make a proper taco.

So, what was this summit all about? Well, let’s break it down, shall we? The topic of the day was investment—cold, hard cash. The sort of money that makes nations tick, buys flashy infrastructure projects, and keeps the lights on. And Sheinbaum had one central message for her audience: your money is safe here. And if it’s not safe, then the government is going to sort it out, one reform at a time. Particularly, she’s championing a judicial reform that, according to her, is going to transform the Mexican legal system from a bureaucratic mire into something resembling a model of efficiency. In short, she’s trying to scrub corruption and nepotism from the system like a stubborn stain on a white shirt.

But let's not forget the real star of the show—money. "Don’t worry," Sheinbaum cooed to the audience of suited-up tycoons, "your investments are in safe hands." And it’s not just lip service. She was keen to hammer home the idea that the reform to the Judicial Branch strengthens the rule of law. Meaning, if you’re an American businessperson thinking about ploughing your dollars into Mexican soil, you won’t have to worry about a corrupt judge siphoning it away for a holiday in Acapulco. No, no. The system, she assures, will be as clean as the Caribbean sands of Cancún.

Now, you may be thinking, “Hang on, what does judicial reform have to do with me buying a burrito or a shipment of car parts crossing the border?” Quite a lot, actually. Because when businesses are deciding where to invest their billions, they need to know the playing field is level. No one wants to invest in a country where the rules change every five minutes, or where you need to slip an envelope of cash to the local bureaucrat to get anything done. That’s precisely what Sheinbaum is trying to tackle: rooting out corruption and building confidence.

But it’s not just the justice system she’s overhauling. She threw in a bit of a curveball—talking about state companies like Pemex (the oil giant) and the Federal Electricity Commission. These behemoths are being propped up by the government, given priority in the market. Yes, you heard that right. In a world where everyone’s banging on about renewable energy, Sheinbaum is making sure the fossil fuel giants are still sitting pretty. If you’re an investor, that might make you raise an eyebrow, but Sheinbaum insists that it's all part of creating stability. Apparently, giving these companies a dominant position in the energy sector will, in some roundabout way, foster private investment. You’re not buying it? Well, neither am I, but let’s move on.

And just when you thought we were done with reforms, Sheinbaum hit us with yet another. This time it’s the turn of bureaucratic red tape. Yes, that dreaded nemesis of anyone who's ever tried to fill out a government form. You know, the ones that ask for information even your mother wouldn’t know. Sheinbaum is launching a "Digital Transformation Agency," which, on paper, sounds like something from a sci-fi novel. The goal is to make everything simpler and faster. Need to get a permit for that shiny new factory? No problem, the Digital Transformation Agency has your back. It’s all about transparency, streamlining procedures, and—hopefully—cutting out the endless forms and stamps that usually feel like an initiation into some secret government club.

So what’s the point of all this? Well, Sheinbaum is trying to reassure everyone that Mexico is open for business, and she’s not messing about. She knows the relationship with the U.S. is vital; after all, around 30% of Mexico’s GDP is tied to Uncle Sam. And she’s determined to turn that relationship into something more than just a line on a balance sheet. Foreign Direct Investment isn’t just about creating jobs and boosting profits. She wants it to translate into something tangible for ordinary Mexicans. She wants it to lead to a better life, where the person on the street—not just the suit in the boardroom—benefits from the influx of capital.

Now, this is where it gets a bit more philosophical. Sheinbaum spoke of a vision, not just of growth, but of well-being. She doesn’t want investment to just mean more zeros on a corporate ledger; she wants it to mean real change. Homes, schools, healthcare. The kind of stuff that actually matters. She’s banking on the idea that private investment can be a force for good, that it can help lift people out of poverty and create a fairer society. A lofty goal, for sure, but one that resonates with her audience—or at least it should.

And to drive it all home, Marcelo Ebrard, the Secretary of Economy, chimed in. He’s a man with a plan, no doubt. And part of that plan is getting Mexico’s judicial system in line with the rest of the world. He reminded everyone that Mexico isn’t reinventing the wheel here. Electing judges and holding them accountable through a disciplinary court isn’t exactly groundbreaking stuff—other countries, like the United States, have been doing it for years. In fact, he’s daring them to be shocked by it, as if to say, “What took us so long?”

But before you get too bogged down in the legal jargon, Ebrard brought it back to what really matters: the future of the U.S.-Mexico trade agreement. This summit wasn’t just a talking shop; it was the beginning of something bigger, a shared vision for the future, built on mutual trust and—yes—more investment.

As the day wrapped up, there was a sense of optimism in the air. Investment is coming, borders will be easier to cross, and Mexico is positioning itself as a global player. Whether you’re in health, finance, manufacturing, or just someone who enjoys a good enchilada, there’s something on the horizon. Today, it’s not just about dollars and pesos. It’s about trust, partnership, and a shared future that might just benefit everyone—if the reforms work as planned, of course.

So, let’s see what the future holds.