Billionaire Carlos Slim highlighted Mexico's economic potential and its vital trade relationship with the U.S. during a recent press conference in Mexico City.
These remarks come as the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (T-MEC) faces a review process that could shift trade conditions between the three nations. Because the agreement governs billions in cross-border commerce, Slim's optimism serves as a signal to international investors regarding Mexico's stability.
Speaking on Oct. 22, 2024 [2], Slim said the importance of maintaining strong commercial ties with the U.S. is necessary to ensure continued growth. He announced the creation of a new investment council designed to streamline capital flow and highlight the country's attractiveness as a market [1].
The T-MEC review process is a central point of concern for the region's business leaders. While some reports suggested review activities in 2024, other data indicates the process will be particularly turbulent in 2026 [1].
Carlos Slim Domit described the upcoming period as a "fase turbulenta" [3]. Despite this volatility, the Slim family maintains that Mexico's position as a manufacturing hub makes it an essential partner for North American supply chains.
Slim said that the new investment council will work to identify opportunities that align with the evolving trade landscape. This effort aims to mitigate the uncertainty caused by the T-MEC review, and ensure that the Mexican economy remains competitive on a global scale [1].
“Mexico's economy has strong potential and its trade ties with the United States remain crucial”
The involvement of Carlos Slim, one of the world's most influential businessmen, suggests that Mexico's private sector is proactively hedging against political volatility. By forming an investment council during the T-MEC review, Mexico is attempting to decouple its fundamental economic appeal from the diplomatic friction inherent in trade renegotiations, signaling to the U.S. that business continuity remains a priority regardless of the agreement's outcome.
