Mexican States Leading the Charge for Semiconductor Industry Development
Jalisco, Baja California, Chihuahua, Mexico City, Nuevo León, and Yucatán are spearheading local industrial policies to attract investments in the semiconductor sector, aiming to decrease reliance on Asian components.
United States as a Key Ally
The construction of the national semiconductor strategy spans across Mexico, with support from the United States. The U.S. aims to establish a North American (Mexico, U.S., and Canada) production chain to lessen dependence on Asian components.
During the fifth chapter of the Mexico-U.S. Forum, held at the headquarters of Mexico’s Federal Secretariat of Economy (SE) in Mexico City, Mark Johnson, Charge d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy, emphasized their commitment to sponsor two more forums in Mexico.
“Semiconductors are the backbone of modern economies, from smartphones to advanced defense systems… The U.S. will not tolerate reliance on countries like China for critical technologies. We are working to reduce this dependence and need Mexico to play a pivotal role in this effort,” Johnson stated.
U.S. Focus on Semiconductor Manufacturing Relocation
The U.S. is pushing for the relocation of semiconductor manufacturing, aiming to build a regional semiconductor ecosystem that benefits both nations and strengthens North America’s position in the global economy.
“In Mexico, we complete four of the five stages required for chip production: design, assembly, testing, and packaging. The missing link is manufacturing, a complex goal requiring efficient and sustainable development,” explained Rafa Sánchez, president of the National Industry Association of Electronics, Telecommunications, and Information Technologies (Canieti).
Mexico’s electronics industry is already the nation’s second-largest sector. The Semiconductor Forum began in Guadalajara in February 2024, where Intel welcomed over 130 experts and 40 institutions, identifying 26 actions for the industry.
The forum then moved to Tijuana, Baja California, in June 2024, discussing the draft Master Plan. Progress continued in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, in October 2024, with 180 experts from 70 institutions and the launch of the Semiconductor Industry Development Master Plan 2024-2030.
Strengthening Binational Cooperation
The 2025 forum took place in Phoenix, Arizona, reinforcing the natural bridge between the two nations. These meetings have facilitated genuine binational cooperation to compete head-on with Asia.
Future forums are planned in Monterrey in November 2025 and Mérida, Yucatán, in February 2026, to create an executable plan with support from the Secretariat of Economy, state governments, and the U.S. Embassy.
Coahuila Aims to Join the Effort
The Canieti delegation from Coahuila-Durango participated in the Fifth Chapter, seeking to bolster semiconductor and Industry 4.0 industry attraction in La Laguna and position Coahuila on the radar of major international players.
“We aim to identify investment opportunities that could lead to the arrival of companies and suppliers in our region. It’s not just attending an event; it’s opening doors for the region to bring in projects,” said Ricardo Burciaga, president of the regional delegation.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main goal of the national semiconductor strategy? The primary objective is to establish a North American production chain for semiconductors, reducing dependence on Asian components.
- What stages of chip production are completed in Mexico? Mexico completes four stages: design, assembly, testing, and packaging. Manufacturing is the remaining stage.
- What role does the U.S. play in this strategy? The U.S. supports the strategy financially and aims to relocate semiconductor manufacturing, creating a regional ecosystem that benefits both nations.
- How many forums have taken place, and where will future ones be held? Five forums have occurred so far, in Guadalajara, Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, Phoenix, with future forums planned in Monterrey and Mérida.
- What is Coahuila’s involvement in this strategy? The Canieti delegation from Coahuila-Durango participates to attract semiconductor and Industry 4.0 industries to La Laguna, positioning Coahuila as an attractive location for international investment.
