Introduction to the Jalisco Investment Promotion Committee
Guadalajara, Jalisco. The newly established Investment Promotion Committee in Jalisco seeks to strengthen the state’s participation in the review of the Mexico-United States-Canada Trade Agreement (T-MEC) and establish a unified stance that highlights the economic complementarity between Mexico and its northern neighbor, according to Guillermo del Río, president of the Occidente Export Manufacturing and Maquiladora Industry Association (Index).
Objective: Informing the Trump Administration
Del Río stated, “Our goal is to wake up the Trump administration and tell them that we are not competitors; instead, we are complementary. Together, we have achieved so much, and now we need to focus this negotiation on how we can benefit more from each other, align criteria, harmonize systems, and facilitate trade while bringing more supply to the region. This is our strategy.”
Interdependence of US and Mexican Industries
Del Río emphasized the significant interdependence between US and Mexican industries, explaining that “for every job created in Mexico, another is generated in the United States.” He added, “If we lose 30,000 jobs here, the US will also experience job losses, potentially even more. That’s why we’re gathering information; with data, we can make better decisions.”
National Strategy and Jalisco’s Focus Areas
The Investment Promotion Committee, composed of business leaders, academia, and state and federal government representatives, will present rigorous technical information to support Mexico’s position in the upcoming T-MEC negotiation rounds in 2026.
Unprecedented Consultation Process
As part of the federal government’s national strategy led by the Secretariat of Economy, Jalisco initiated an unprecedented consultation process in preparation for the T-MEC renegotiation.
Key Sectors for Jalisco’s Analysis
Jalisco identified four crucial sectors for information gathering and analysis: Food and Beverages, Fashion (including textiles, clothing, jewelry, and footwear), Furniture (encompassing wood, textiles, and manufacturing), and High Technology (electronics and automotive industries).
Strengthening Regional Competitiveness
Through this collaborative effort, Jalisco aims to provide evidence and proposals that reinforce the idea of economic integration between Mexico and the United States as vital for the competitiveness of the entire North American region.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of Jalisco’s Investment Promotion Committee? The committee aims to strengthen Jalisco’s participation in the T-MEC renegotiation and establish a unified stance that highlights economic complementarity between Mexico and the United States.
- Why is Jalisco focusing on specific sectors? Jalisco has identified four key sectors—Food and Beverages, Fashion, Furniture, and High Technology—to gather information and analyze their importance in the regional economy.
- How does Jalisco’s effort benefit the North American region? By emphasizing economic integration between Mexico and the United States, Jalisco seeks to bolster the competitiveness of the entire North American region.
- What is the significance of the unprecedented consultation process? This process allows for a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of T-MEC renegotiation on various sectors, ensuring that Mexico presents a well-informed position in future negotiations.
