31st Mexican External Trade Congress Kicks Off in Querétaro
Querétaro, Qro. Despite the global context, Mexico’s external trade continues to grow and has not experienced a contraction, reflecting positively on state and national economies, according to Sergio Contreras Pérez, CEO of the Mexican Business Council for External Trade, Investment and Technology (Comce).
Export Growth in 2025
During the opening of the 31st Mexican External Trade Congress in Querétaro from October 29 to 31, Contreras Pérez highlighted that Mexico has shown resilience against a new global strategy and the United States’ tariff policies.
- In the first nine months of 2025, Mexican exports have grown by 5.7% compared to the same period in the previous year, as per data from INEGI.
- Contreras Pérez emphasized that despite the current situation, Mexico’s external trade has continued to grow by more than 5%, which is significant as there has been no contraction in Mexico’s external trade.
Importance of USMCA and Mexico’s Economic Dependence
Contreras Pérez acknowledged that international trade is at a critical juncture, but stressed the importance of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico as the most significant region, with the U.S. economy heavily dependent on Mexico.
“We are the number one trading partner of the United States, the most important economy in the world, and we will continue to be due to our industrial integration,” he said.
He also mentioned that Mexico is the tenth-largest exporter and importer globally, with 72% of its GDP related to external trade. Manufacturing contributes 90% to Mexico’s exports, with the automotive sector relying on 42% of its parts from Mexican suppliers.
Role of SMEs in Mexico’s Trade
Valentín Diez Morodo, honorary president of Comce, pointed out that the sector faces challenges and transformation times requiring recognition of a new global trade order. He emphasized that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMES) play a crucial role in supplying Mexican export-oriented firms.
Free Trade as a Key Element
Francisco Cervantes Díaz, president of the Mexican Coordinating Council (CCE), stressed that free trade has been essential for the country’s development, both when the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was being discussed and now as the T-MEC is under review.
“Our external trade has grown more than tenfold in real terms… Along the U.S.-Mexico border, if this strip of land were a country, it would be the world’s third-largest economy,” Cervantes Díaz said.
Mexico’s Economic Goals
Altagracia Gómez Sierra, coordinator of the Regional Economic Development Advisory Council and Relocation (CADERR), discussed Mexico’s goals outlined in Plan México, such as becoming one of the ten largest economies globally, producing 150,000 engineering and STEM graduates annually, and leveraging public procurement for regional economic development.
She also highlighted Querétaro’s prominence in aerospace, automotive industries, and now data centers.
Querétaro’s Contribution to External Trade
Querétaro Governor Mauricio Kuri González mentioned the state’s participation in external trade, exporting nearly $18 billion worth of goods annually.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: How is Mexico’s external trade performing amidst the global context? A: Despite challenges, Mexico’s external trade continues to grow, with a 5.7% increase in the first nine months of 2025 compared to the same period in the previous year.
- Q: What role do small and medium enterprises play in Mexico’s external trade? A: Small and medium enterprises are essential in supplying export-oriented firms, playing a crucial role in Mexico’s external trade sector.
- Q: Why is free trade significant for Mexico’s development? A: Free trade has been vital for Mexico’s development, contributing to the country’s external trade growth more than tenfold in real terms.
- Q: What are Mexico’s economic goals outlined in Plan México? A: Plan México aims to make Mexico one of the ten largest economies, produce 150,000 engineering and STEM graduates annually, and leverage public procurement for regional economic development.
- Q: How does Querétaro contribute to Mexico’s external trade? A: Querétaro exports nearly $18 billion worth of goods annually, contributing significantly to Mexico’s external trade.
