US Lowers Automotive Steel Tariffs—Strings Attached
The United States announced it will halve the tariff on steel used in heavy‑duty vehicles imported from Mexico, dropping the rate from 50% to 25%. The move reverses a key element of the Trump‑era trade war and is intended to lower input costs for U.S. truck makers while preserving domestic production links. However, the reduction is conditional: Mexican suppliers must satisfy U.S. rules on material origin and labor practices to qualify. Analysts see the policy as a strategic attempt to balance competitive pressures with broader North American supply‑chain integration.
Hidden Gems of Mexican Archeology
In this episode the hosts explore Mexico’s lesser‑known archaeological sites, arguing that the nation’s tourism focus on famous ruins like Chichen Itza overshadows a wealth of hidden gems such as the massive, still‑largely unexcavated city in Campeche and the enigmatic...
Mexico and the CIA: A Love Story
A car crash in Chihuahua killed four, including two CIA operatives conducting counter‑narcotics work without Mexican federal approval. The incident exposes the covert CIA presence in Mexico and places President Claudia Sheinbaum in a diplomatic bind as she balances anti‑U.S....
The Decline of Mexico’s Central Bank, Explained
Mexico’s central bank, Banxico, has been trimming its benchmark rate from a peak of 11.5% toward a long‑term target near 3% to stimulate borrowing. In July 2024 it lowered the policy rate modestly from 7.00% to 6.75% amid an oil‑price...
Chaotic Reconfiguration of the Auto Industry. Good or Bad?
The Mexican automotive sector is in the midst of a chaotic reconfiguration driven by a sharp decline in conventional vehicle sales, a surge in electric‑vehicle (EV) adoption, and tightening supply‑chain constraints. In the first quarter of 2024, overall auto sales...
Mexico Greenlights Fracking
Mexico’s new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, announced a policy reversal that will allow hydraulic fracturing within the country. The move aims to curb the nation’s heavy reliance on imported natural gas, which currently supplies about 75% of its electricity and largely...
Hiring: Lead for the Plan México Project
The Mexico Political Economist is hiring a full‑time Project Lead for its year‑long Plan México Project, beginning mid‑2026. The role blends investigative journalism, data analytics, and policy research to map actionable roadmaps for sectors highlighted in Mexico’s flagship industrial policy....
US Blames Mexico for Self-Inflicted Wound in Trade
The U.S. Trade Representative released its annual Non‑Tariff Measures report, dramatically expanding the section on Mexico, the United States’ biggest commercial partner. The report reiterates long‑standing grievances—an opaque regulatory system and caps on foreign investment in the energy sector—framing them...
How Mexico Is Teasing Out a Rise in Construction Investment
Private construction investment in Mexico has slumped under the Morena administration since 2018, as developers cite policy uncertainty and reduced credit access. A sharp, election‑driven surge of public spending in 2024 temporarily lifted activity, but the withdrawal of those funds...
The Televisa Playbook: The Art of Failing Upwards
In 2022 Televisa purchased a 45% stake in Univision, creating TelevisaUnivision. The ownership change coincided with a noticeable shift in Univision's coverage, moving from a hard‑line critic of Donald Trump to a more Trump‑friendly tone ahead of the 2024 election....
Counterfeit Sales Soar Online
Mexico’s online counterfeit market surged dramatically last week, with sales estimated to have risen roughly 45% year‑over‑year. The spike coincides with a slowdown in government tax‑receipt growth, which rose only 2.6% in the first two months of 2025 versus a...
Politicians to Vote Against Their Own Interests
President Claudia Sheinbaum’s ambitious electoral reform was blocked by congressional allies, prompting a scaled‑back Plan B that still forces legislators at every level to slash salaries and perks. The new proposal leaves party budgets and leadership control over candidate selection untouched,...
Mexico Is the Source of US Economic Growth
The Mexican Embassy highlighted that Mexico invested $61.7 billion in the United States in 2025 and that bilateral trade now totals $873 billion—roughly $1.7 million each minute. Mexico’s exports to the U.S. reach $535 billion while imports stand at $338 billion, meaning the U.S. buys...
And They’re Off! What Actually Changes as USMCA Talks Officially Begin
The Mexican Economy Ministry and the U.S. Trade Representative announced the formal launch of the joint review of the United States‑Mexico‑Canada Agreement, set to begin on March 16. While Mexico and the United States have been holding informal talks for...
Mexico’s Mining Always Got the Silver Spoon Treatment. Now It Must Reinvent Itself to Survive
Silver prices exploded from just over $20 an ounce in late 2024 to a peak of $120 in early 2026, driven by geopolitical uncertainty and soaring demand from solar and electric‑vehicle technologies. Mexico, the world’s largest silver producer, extracted roughly...