By Octavio de la Torre
President of Concanaco Servytur
A Virtual Congress on Foreign Trade was recently carry out, which brought together more than 2,000 opinion leaders, investors, directors, managers and specialists on international issues. The main point of the event was to analyze the challenges and opportunities facing Mexican foreign trade.
This congress made it clear that domestic and foreign companies in Mexico operate in an increasingly complex and dynamic environment, especially in areas such as tax compliance, T-MEC review, regulatory changes and legal certainty.
One of the most valuable takeaways from the event was the market research conducted among 600 industry leaders. The most relevant findings are highlighted below:
Main Challenges in Foreign Trade
To the question: What are the main challenges that companies will face in foreign trade, the participants responded:
- Tax compliance and foreign trade in Mexico (59%) 2.
- Review of the T-MEC (16%)
- Modification of the rules in Mexico (14%)
- Legal and public safety (11%)
Concerns about T-MEC Review
In response to the question: What are your concerns regarding the T-MEC review, the results were as follows:
- Labor issue (7%)
- Restrictions on imports of inputs from China (40%)
- Rules of origin (36%)
- Customs facilitation (18%)
Critical Points in VAT-IEPS Certification
VAT-IEPS certification, which is essential for service, manufacturing and maquila exporting companies, was also evaluated. To the question: What points do you consider critical to maintain such certification? The answers were:
- Sensitive fractions (31%).
- VAT-IEPS cancellation procedures (39%)
- Multiple notices (17%)
- Updating of the production process (13%)
Strategies for Effective Compliance
Regarding strategies that could help companies to effectively comply with their foreign trade operations, the following were highlighted:
- Training (45%)
- Preventive audits (38%)
- More personnel (5%)
- Permanent advisor (12%)
Reflection and Analysis
Based on these results, it is possible to divide the concerns into two categories:
a) Challenges that Mexico can solve internally
b) Challenges that require external intervention
One of the most relevant internal challenges is tax and customs compliance. This reflects a clear concern about regulatory volatility in Mexico, as well as strict customs and tax regulations. These conditions generate uncertainty and raise administrative costs for companies.
Beyond political discussions, legal and public security is key to the development of the productive sectors. Sudden changes have a direct impact on the confidence of the population and investors.
On the other hand, the revision of the T-MEC generates uncertainty, especially in sectors such as automotive, manufacturing and agriculture. Companies fear stricter conditions that could affect their competitiveness, since developing a certified supply chain takes time.
It is essential to remember that changes in the rules of origin require adaptation. Companies, by nature, are resilient; however, when conditions change abruptly, without prior warning, they are limited in their ability to react, affecting their capacity to diversify and adapt. Spontaneous prohibitions have a negative impact on the reputation and confidence of investors.
The Future of Foreign Trade in Mexico
The foreign trade landscape in 2025 will be marked by the need of adaptation, innovation and compliance. Unfortunately, not all companies will be able to overcome these unpredictable changes, which will directly affect investment and economic growth, especially in the north and central west of the country.
Given this reality, more strategic, collaborative and innovative business leadership is required. To capitalize on the opportunities presented by the current environment, leaders must evolve towards a management model that promotes regional integration, social responsibility and joint growth.
A Call to Business Leaders
Business leaders must take a proactive role in this context and focus on two fundamental actions:
- Foster regional collaboration: create strategic alliances that enable companies to integrate into global value chains.
- Promote innovation and sustainability: adapt to market trends and adopt responsible practices that benefit all parties involved.
The future of foreign trade is being built today. Leaders who are committed to adapt to market trends and adopting responsible practices that benefit all parties involved.
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