Country Profile
From The Report: Mexico 2019
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Strategically located between the Americas, Europe and Asia, Mexico is one of Latin America’s largest economies, second only to Brazil. Aided by its proximity to the US market, the county has established itself as an important manufacturing and export powerhouse, due in part to extensive oil, gas and mineral reserves; public and private universities; a young population; and a booming tourism industry. Winning the 2018 presidential elections on a populist, anti-corruption ticket, the priorities of the administration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador are focused on reducing violence, as well as stemming the flow of Central American migrants and asylum seekers on their way to the US. The bright spot on the horizon remains the country’s tourism sector, which attracts millions of global travellers per year. This chapter contains interviews with Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada and; Ángel Gurría, Secretary-General, OECD.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Strength in diversity: A rich, varied history lends itself to a unique culture and cuisine
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Strategically located between the Americas, Europe and Asia, Mexico is one of Latin America’s largest economies, second only to Brazil. Aided by its proximity to the US market, the county has established itself as an important manufacturing and export powerhouse, due in part to extensive oil, gas and mineral reserves; public and private universities; a young population; and a booming tourism industry. Geographically and culturally diverse, the country boasts more than 9330 km of coastline and various…

Interview

Strengthened partnerships: Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, on leveraging the multiplier effects of bilateral and multilateral alliances
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Interview:Justin Trudeau What are the key areas of bilateral cooperation enshrined in the Canada-Mexico Partnership? JUSTIN TRUDEAU: In 2019 Canada and Mexico are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations. In that time, Mexico has become one of our most valued partners in the western hemisphere. Trade is an important part of our relationship, and we have long-championed free trade agreements (FTAs) that create jobs and strengthen the middle classes in both of our countries. The Comprehensive…

Overview

A time of transition: The new government looks to make broad changes
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Winning the 2018 presidential elections on a populist, anti-corruption ticket, the administration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, commonly known as AMLO, has proved controversial in the first months of its six-year term. As homicide rates continue their upward trajectory, national polls show dissatisfaction, with some segments of the electorate impatient to see promised changes materialise. Meanwhile, a migrant crisis at Mexico’s northern and southern borders looks to put pressure on…

Interview

Targeted measures: Ángel Gurría, Secretary-General, OECD, on boosting growth and competitiveness via policy improvements
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Interview:Ángel Gurría What are the OECD predictions for Mexico’s economic growth in the near term? ÁNGEL GURRÍA: Forecasts have been downgraded due to weaker-than-expected growth at the end of 2018 and in the first half of 2019. The economy experienced negative growth in the first quarter of 2019 and grew only slightly in the second quarter due to both external and internal factors. Some of these factors are transitory, such as the disruptions in fuel supply or the labour strikes at…

Overview

OBG Business Barometer: Mexico CEO Survey:
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Despite a challenging global political environment and subdued domestic GDP growth in 2018, participants in the survey were largely optimistic, with 65% of respondents stating that their company is likely or very likely to make a significant capital investment between mid-2019 and mid-2020. As President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration aims to increase the GDP growth rate to 4%, some 32% of business leaders highlight research and development as the country’s most needed skill. Placing focus on adding value to the economy, executives also show support for investment in social infrastructure. For more information on the OBG Business…

Overview

What do Mexico’s CEOs believe: will shape the next 12 months?
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Since Donald Trump’s election as US president in November 2016, Mexico’s economy has seen both uncertainty and progress. Just one fortnight after announcing that the US would lift tariffs on Mexican and Canadian steel imports, and publicly encouraging Congress to quickly pass the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), President Trump announced on Twitter that he would place progressive tariffs on all Mexican imports to the US, starting at 5% in June 2019, and increasing incrementally to 25% by October of that year. However, three days before the tariffs were set to go into effect, he called off the plans, citing an agreement to cooperate on immigration.…

Analysis

Safe borders: Mexico looks to development aid and increased security to address the number of migrants crossing its borders
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Recent years have seen the number of asylum seekers along the US-Mexico border increasing. A vast majority of people seeking asylum are doing so to escape violence in their home countries, particularly from the Northern Triangle made up of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, but also including small numbers of nationals of African countries, such as Cameroon and Burkina Faso. In August 2019 it was estimated that around 40,000 migrants were stationed along the US-Mexico border, of which 10,000 were…