GENERAL SITUATION IN MEXICO
Weekly Review I October 1, 2025
US - MEXICO
US-MX Relationship Developments
Trade Tariffs and Section 232 Measures
• President Trump announced new tariffs under Section 232, effective October 1, 2025, ranging from 25% to 100%.
• Targeted goods include pharmaceuticals, semi-trucks, kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and furniture.
• Highest tariffs apply to branded or patented drugs, with exemptions for USbuilt facilities and EU drugs under the July US-EU trade deal (capped at 15%).
• Generic medicines may also avoid duties, benefiting India’s pharmaceutical sector.
• Furniture from Mexico, China, Vietnam, and Malaysia may face tariffs up to 50%, potentially increasing housing-related costs.
• Semi-trucks face 25% tariffs, though most heavy-duty trucks are domestically produced.
• Tariffs are framed as protecting US manufacturing and national security, though industries warn of reduced investment.
US - MEXICO PRESIDENTIAL NEWS
Mexico-China Trade Relations
• Mexico’s General Law of Tariffs for Imports and Exports (LIGIE) prompted China to investigate barriers to its goods.
• Secretary Ebrard emphasized Mexico’s sovereign right to protect domestic industries and address trade deficits.
• US-Mexico cooperation on semiconductors is deepening, highlighting regional integration to reduce reliance on China.
• China’s stance may influence future USMCA negotiations and North American industrial policy decisions.
SOURCES: MINISTRY OF FINANCE, NYT, EL ECONOMISTA, REFORMA
USMCA Negotiation Processes
• The “Cuarto de Junto,” previously a private-sector advisory body, will be replaced by a broader organ including regional businesses, corporate, and labor sectors.
• This change could enhance legitimacy but complicate and slow consensus-building with the US and Canada.
IMMEX Program and Customs Law Reforms
• Secretary Ebrard highlighted widespread abuse in the IMMEX program, including falsified exports and inactive permits. IMMEX 4.0 will enforce stricter supervision and documentation.
• Proposed Customs Law reforms aim to modernize processes, strengthen tax collection, and combat smuggling, introducing stricter controls, higher compliance costs, and new obligations for importers, exporters, and customs brokers.
LEGISLATIVE CHANGES AND INITIATIVES
LABOR
• INITIATIVE WITH DRAFT DECREE TO AMEND ARTICLE 63 AND ADD A SECOND PARAGRAPH TO ARTICLE 132 OF THE FEDERAL LABOR LAW
Presented by: Sen. Jasmine María Bugarin Rodriguez (Nay - PVEM)
Objective: Requires a minimum one-hour break during continuous work shifts and obligates employers to allow at least two 15-minute breaks for physical activity as part of employees’ rest periods.
Status: 2025-09-23 – Published in the Parliamentary Gazett
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
• INITIATIVE WITH DRAFT DECREE TO AMEND ARTICLE 185 OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND BROADCASTING LAW
Presented by: Sen. María Del Rocío Corona Nakamura (Jal - PVEM)
Objective: Grants users the right not to receive mass automated calls, robocalls, or calls from telemarketing centers offering promotions, services, messages, or any information without their prior express consent or request.
Status: 2025-09-23 – Published in the Parliamentary Gazette
LEGISLATIVE CHANGES AND INITIATIVES
FINANCIAL
• INITIATIVE WITH DRAFT DECREE TO AMEND AND ADD VARIOUS PROVISIONS TO THE INCOME TAX LAW
Presented by: Sen. Juan Antonio Martín del Campo Martín del Campo (Ags - PAN) (View actor profile)
Objective: Exempts income tax (ISR) on salaries and benefits below the annual average wage registered with the IMSS. Employers will not withhold ISR for employees earning less than the monthly average wage recorded by the IMSS in the previous fiscal year.
Status: 2025-09-23 – Published in the Parliamentary Gazette
• INITIATIVE WITH DRAFT DECREE TO AMEND ARTICLE 44 BIS 4 OF THE LAW OF CREDIT INSTITUTIONS
Presented by: Sen. Jasmine María Bugarin Rodriguez (Nay - PVEM) (View actor profile)
Objective: Requires development banks to create programs, projects, and online learning platforms to train users in digital tools, giving priority to indigenous and Afro-Mexican women.
Status: 2025-09-23 – Published in the Parliamentary Gazette
ENVIRONMENTAL
• INITIATIVE WITH DRAFT DECREE TO AMEND THE FOURTH PARAGRAPH OF ARTICLE 25 OF THE POLITICAL CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES, REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
Presented by: Sen. Jasmine María Bugarin Rodriguez (Nay - PVEM)
Objective: Mandates that economic development in all productive sectors must adhere to environmental responsibility.
Status: 2025-09-23 – Published in the Parliamentary Gazette
NEWS BY STATE
BAJA CALIFORNIA
As of September 30, 2025, the cost of the I-94 permit for foreign tourists entering the U.S. by land rose from $6 to $30 (about 550 pesos), a 400% increase. Known as the “travel permit,” it is required for those with a tourist visa who plan to go beyond 25 miles from the border or stay in the U.S. for more than 30 days. The I-94 also functions as the official entry/exit record and proof of legal visitor status. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, immigrant visa holders, and most Canadian visitors are exempt. Depending on whether the permit is paper or electronic, travelers must either return the document when exiting or rely on the system’s automatic record.
To save time, authorities recommend applying in advance through the CBP online portal, though the final length of stay—up to six months—is determined by the border officer at entry.
SOURCE: INDUSTRIAL NEWS BC
NEWS BY STATE
CHIHUAHUA
Chihuahua hosted the First Ordinary General Assembly of the Mexican Council of Aerospace Education (COMEA) 2025, organized by the state government through Inadet. The two-day event at Cenaltec Chihuahua gathered representatives from academia, industry, and government to strengthen talent development in the aerospace sector. Activities included expert panels, keynote conferences with leaders from Safran, FEMIA, Index Chihuahua, and the Aerospace Cluster, as well as a tour of Honeywell’s plant. During the assembly, university rectors and COMEA members defined joint strategies to boost competitiveness, while state officials highlighted the role of education and specialized training in driving investment, high-value job creation, and regional development. COMEA leaders emphasized collaboration between academia, industry, and government to enhance academic excellence, technological innovation, and the formation of skilled engineers and technicians, consolidating Mexico’s position in the global aerospace industry.
SOURCE: GOVERNMENT OF CHIHUAHUA
NUEVO LEON
Finsa announced an investment of over $220 million to develop a sustainable industrial park in García, Nuevo León, expected to host more than 25 leading companies and create 14,000 direct jobs. The master plan includes 17 industrial units totaling 370,000 m² after the second phase, with the first covering 45 hectares and the second adding 47 more. The project emphasizes environmentally friendly design, energy efficiency, and responsible resource management. García, part of the Monterrey metropolitan area, already hosts major industrial operations, and this park aims to attract nearshoring, light manufacturing, and logistics projects targeting the U.S. market. With this development, Finsa strengthens its position as a leading industrial real estate developer, offering modular, turnkey solutions and ESG-focused governance while supporting regional competitiveness and sustainable economic growth.
SOURCE: MEXICO INDUSTRY
NEWS BY STATE
GUANAJUATO
Automotive companies in Guanajuato are seeking to expedite importation procedures to prevent production delays and additional costs. During a meeting with the State Secretariat of Economy and the Coordinator for Foreign Trade Promotion (COFOCE) at the Guanajuato Automotive Cluster (CLAUGTO), industry representatives highlighted issues such as prolonged response times, lack of clear criteria, and inadequate communication channels. These challenges threaten the continuity of supply chains under the Mexico-United States-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The state economy secretary pledged to provide support tools and facilitate contact with federal authorities to address these issues more effectively. CLAUGTO and the companies agreed to formalize their complaints, issue a joint statement, and consider actions to raise national awareness of the problem. The consensus emphasizes that streamlining and increasing transparency in import processes are crucial for maintaining the smooth operation of automotive suppliers and manufacturers in the region.
SOURCE: LIDER EMPRESARIAL
QUERETARO
Querétaro will host Meximold 2025 on October 22–23 at the Querétaro Convention Center, marking the sixth edition of the event. Supported by the Mexican Association of Mold and Die Manufacturers (AMMMT), the fair will feature over 130 companies showcasing advanced machinery and technology for the mold and die industry. The event aims to strengthen local talent, promote innovation, and increase the competitiveness of Mexico’s mold and die sector, which is growing due to nearshoring trends and rising domestic content requirements.
SOURCE: LIDER EMPRESARIAL
NEWS BY STATE
MEXICO CITY
Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada Molina announced a historic investment of over 2.2 billion pesos in water infrastructure during her first year, aiming to prevent and mitigate flooding in the city. Following the heaviest rainfall in 34 years, which dumped 91 millimeters of rain (31 million cubic meters of water), her administration allocated 65 million pesos in direct support to affected families. Currently, more than 1.5 billion pesos have strengthened emergency response capacity, and an additional 900 million pesos will fund specialized equipment and new works, including a reservoir in Santa María Aztahuacán. Coordination with federal authorities enabled the rapid deployment of 16 command centers, distributing nearly 14,000 food rations and medical aid. Programs such as Water Acupuncture aim to create infiltration sites to recharge aquifers, while metropolitan and regional projects focus on enhancing hydraulic infrastructure, particularly in critical areas like Iztapalapa, Tláhuac, and Los Reyes La Paz, ensuring faster flood drainage and improved resilience.
SOURCE: JEFATURA DE GOBIERNO
STATE OF MEXICO
GAC Mexico strengthened its commitment to the country with the 2024 opening of its Auto Parts Distribution Center in Teoloyucan, State of Mexico. The 3,000 m² facility stores over 80,000 parts, maintains a four-month inventory, and delivers nationwide within 72 hours. With digital logistics and advanced monitoring systems, it ensures efficiency, security, and quality, easing pressure on dealerships and improving after-sales service. GAC also plans to expand its warehouse network abroad, with President Rafe Huang noting the center as a model of efficiency replicable in markets like Europe.
SOURCE: MEXICO INDUSTRY
INVESTMENT NEWS
NORTHERN MEXICO
MOTHERSON
Motherson Automotive Systems has inaugurated a new plant at the Mencorsa Industrial Park, located in the Derramadero Valley corridor, Coahuila. The project represents an investment of 15 million dolalrs and will create 204 direct jobs.
INTRETECH
Intretech has launched its first plant in Apodaca, Nuevo León, with an investment of over $60 million. The facility is expected to create between 1,500 and 2,000 formal jobs and will focus on electronic manufacturing to strengthen value chains across the automotive, medical, energy, and consumer sectors.
CENTRAL MEXICO
CLOUDHQ
CloudHQ, one of the world’s largest data center developers, has announced a $4.8 billion investment to build a hyperscale campus in Querétaro. The project will span 55 hectares and include six facilities. This investment strengthens Querétaro’s role as a strategic hub for data centers in Latin America, at a time when digital infrastructure is critical to supporting the growth of artificial intelligence.
SOURCES: CLUSTER INDUSTRIAL, MEXICO INDUSTRY
PRODENSA INSIGHTS
IMMEX/CIVA COMPLIANCE: WHY PROACTIVE MONITORING IS ESSENTIAL
As SAT and SE tighten scrutiny with electronic audits, inventory validations, and detailed reviews, IMMEX companies face rising risks of program suspension or unexpected VAT liabilities. Even small oversights— like mismatched Annex reports or outdated records— can trigger costly consequences.
In this article, we share the most common causes of IMMEX/CIVA suspensions, real cases from our +40 years of experience, and how Prodensa’s Compliance Monitoring Service helps companies safeguard operations, avoid disruptions, and stay audit-ready
THE IMMEX PROGRAM: A STRATEGIC GUIDE FOR INVESTORS
Mexico’s IMMEX Program has become the backbone of the country’s manufacturing economy— driving nearshoring, attracting foreign investment, and generating millions of formal jobs. For international manufacturers, it offers powerful tax benefits, supply chain agility, and long-term growth opportunities.
In this article, we break down what IMMEX is, why it matters, and how companies can use it as a strategic enabler in Mexico. Plus, download our free e-book for executives, CFOs, and investors looking to navigate IMMEX with confidence.
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