Mexico City. Negotiations with the United States on tariffs allowed for further progress. Yesterday, Thursday, it was announced that auto parts produced in Mexico will be exempt from tariffs and remain within the framework of the trade agreement, President Claudia Sheinbaum celebrated. She noted that Mexico exports $70 billion worth of auto parts to the northern country annually.
For his part, Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard stated that "we're not exactly celebrating," but it is an important step forward resulting from the intense negotiations taking place in Washington. He emphasized that since the announcement of changes to U.S. tariff policy, the President's main concern has been the export conditions for auto parts.
The secretary emphasized that this automotive sector reflects the broadest integration of production chains in North America, as Mexico has been increasing the number of auto parts produced for automakers. Therefore, if tariffs were imposed on Mexican exports, it would impact the final price of automobiles in the United States, primarily affecting the three largest American companies: Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis.
Ebrard considered that this decision not to apply tariffs to auto parts produced in Mexico is aimed at protecting this complex chain and, for Mexico, the protection of thousands of jobs. This means that a good understanding is being built for bilateral trade relations.
Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico has gradually improved its trade relations with the United States within the framework of these tariff modifications.
He emphasized that, unlike during the neoliberal period, Mexico's main asset for attracting investment is no longer cheap labor, but rather skilled labor, as the training of engineers joining companies has improved.
In this context, during the presidential conference, executives from the British company Unilever announced an investment of 30 billion pesos in Mexico between 2025 and 2027, specifically to complete the construction of its factory in Nuevo León, where 1,200 jobs will be created.
In this regard, Ebrard emphasized that "it is important to highlight that these new investments are being made in the midst of a world of economic uncertainty, and the fact that they decide to invest in Mexico adds value. It means there is confidence in Mexico's future, particularly with investments like this one, worth 30 billion pesos, which are being made in line with the objectives of Plan Mexico."
