Mexico remains the leading trade partner of the U.S., despite a wide variety of tariffs implemented by U.S. President Donald Trump this year. The trade duties and the uncertainty around their implementation has hurt many U.S. trade partners in recent months.
Trade between Mexico and the United States totaled US $74.5 billion in May, with Mexico contributing 16.2% of global trade with the U.S.
Canada was the second biggest exporter to the U.S., contributing 12.5% of the total, with China following with 5.9%. The U.S.’s other largest trade partners in May were Taiwan, Germany, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, Ireland and India.
Exports of Mexican goods to the U.S. totaled $46.3 billion, while U.S. exports to Mexico stood at $28.2 billion. This resulted in a trade deficit of $18.2 billion in favor of Mexico, the largest of any U.S. trade partner.
Vehicles and auto parts represent some of the top products Mexico exports to the U.S. (Asipona Veracruz)
The increase represents a rebound from April, when Mexican exports to the U.S. declined for the first time in 13 months. Mexico exported nearly $41.7 billion in goods and services to the U.S. in April, 2.7% less than April 2024.
Exports from Mexican states
Despite the uncertainty, Mexico’s total exports rose by 3.6% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, totaling $133.625 billion, Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) announced in a press release on Monday.
The border state of Chihuahua dominated exports, contributing 16% of the national total, followed by the states of Coahuila (11.8%), Nuevo León (9.9%), Baja California (9.4%), Tamaulipas (6.4%) and Jalisco (6.3%).
Together, these six states accounted for 59.9% of the total national exports.
The five states with the most significant increase in export value were Yucatán (up 29.3% compared to the same period last year), Chihuahua (27.5%), Colima (26.9%), Zacatecas (25.8%) and Jalisco (25.0%).
Just north of the Angel of Independence lies Tabacalera, one of the city's most criminally underrated neighborhoods. (Expedia)
While tourists flock to Roma Norte and Condesa, savvy travelers are quietly sneaking north to Tabacalera, a neighborhood that perfectly captures Mexico City’s ability to blend revolution with refinement. Recognizable for the iconic Monument to the Revolution and bordered by tree-lined Paseo de la Reforma, this compact barrio showcases some of the capital’s finest Art Deco architecture and surprising history.
Tabacalera’s many corners showcase a day’s worth of cultural discoveries, culinary adventures, and spontaneous moments that make Mexico City so unique Here’s how to experience the capital’s most underrated neighborhood like a local, from revolutionary coffee to rooftop sunset views.
The Monument to the Revolution is Tabacalera’s most recognizable icon. (Felipe Alfonso Castillo Vazquez / CC BY-SA 33.0)
Morning: Revolutionary breakfast
Start your morning at Café La Habana, where history and caffeine intersect in the most delicious way. Due to its location on the southern side of Paseo de la Reforma, it’s technically in La Juárez, but so commonly associated with the Monument to the Revolution that it would be silly not to start your day of Tabacalera exploration here.
The beloved Cuban restaurant is known for more than its sandwiches and coffee — rampant are the claims that Fidel Castro and Che Guevara planned the Cuban Revolution from this very diner while in exile in Mexico City. Running since 1952, the restaurant’s high ceilings, central wooden bar and black-bowtied wait staff give you the feeling that you’ve time traveled to the days of Vincente Fernández and Octavio Paz.
Once you’re adequately hopped up on caffeine and that revolutionary spirit, take a 10-minute walk across Reforma for your first museum stop.
Mid-morning: Descend into history
The Museum of the Revolution is housed within the monument of the same name and serves as the prominent arched landmark in Tabacalera’s Plaza de la República. And isn’t it ironic? You have to descend into the bowels of this towering structure to understand the roots of the uprising that shaped modern Mexico.
The interior of the monument houses a museum for the history of Mexico’s revolution. (Gobierno de México)
Inside, broad explanations of history from the Constitution of 1857 through the post-revolutionary government are exhibited with the kind of thorough detail that makes you grateful for that strong coffee you just consumed. Information is presented in Spanish, so have your translator handy if necessary or hire a local guide. From here, a 150-peso ticket will grant you access to the top of the monument for impressive views of Mexico City’s sprawling geography.
Late Morning: Unexpected performances
Back on the plaza, take a spin around its circumference, where you’re sure to stumble upon a series of impromptu contemporary dance performances. These group sessions, made up largely of local teens and 20-somethings, generally take place in front of the business district’s reflective facades, and while the choreography may be amateur, it’s genuinely impressive.
The energy is infectious, and you’ll find yourself lingering longer than planned, which is exactly the point. However, don’t let it cut into the time you could spend admiring the Frontón Mexico. The funky Art Deco building is notable for its bright red facade, but it’s what’s inside that really shines: visitors can choose between trying their luck at the casino’s slot machines or indulging in a midday jai alai tournament.
Midday: Aristocratic art
Continue north until you reach the National Museum of San Carlos, adjacent to a small park aptly named Parque Tabacalera. The transition from the plaza’s contemporary dance scene to this aristocratic palace feels like stepping through centuries in a matter of minutes.
Valencian colonial-era architect Manuel Tolsá created this part-Neoclassical, part-Baroque masterpiece for the Count of Buenavista, and despite centuries of varying uses — it once served as the official offices for the National Lottery — the building retains its aristocratic elegance. The marble staircases and frescoed ceilings are the backdrop for an extensive collection of European art, including Lucas Cranach the Elder’s “Adam and Eve”, works by Tintoretto and sculptures by Auguste Rodin.
The San Carlos National Museum is housed in the former Palace of the Counts of Buenavista. (Gobierno de México)
Afternoon: Hands-on Italian
You’re probably thinking about food now, and instead of sitting down to a predictable lunch, why not indulge in something different? Enter Toscanaccio, where Chef Gurioli, a native of Florence, will teach you the tricks behind making true Italian-style pizza — like where to source authentic mozzarella 10,000 kilometers from Italy — in the heart of Mexico City. You’ll later enjoy your creation with delicious imported wines and homemade pasta, creating the kind of cross-cultural moment that defines modern Mexico City dining.
Late Afternoon: Sweet whimsy and street life
Save room for dessert, which you can have in abundance at Doncella Cafe. The whimsical café serves up fairy-tale themed desserts in every shape and color of the rainbow, an appreciated contrast to the morning’s serious history lessons. The Instagram-worthy presentations and flowery decor are equal parts over-the-top and playful.
Walk it off with a bit of shopping at the many market stalls that surround the plaza. Vocal vendors sell everything from Lucha Libre masks to beaded hummingbirds to steaming hot esquites. Pass by the National Lottery Building, also known as Edificio El Moro, to catch a glimpse of its legendary Art Deco design. For a brief moment in 1946, this structure was the tallest building in Mexico City, a reminder of the neighborhood’s bold mid-century ambitions.
The El Moro building was one of Mexico City’s first skyscrapers. (Felipe Alfonso Castillo Vazquez / CC BY-SA 33.0)
Before heading to your evening destination, make one more revolutionary pilgrimage to Calle José de Emparán 49, where a modest plaque marks the unassuming building where Fidel Castro and Che Guevara first met.The contrast between this quiet residential street and the world-changing events that were conceived here is a true testament to Tabacalera’s ability to hide history in plain sight.
Evening: Rooftop revolution
Before dusk, take the elevator up to the top floor of Avenida de la República 157 and step out onto one of Mexico City’s best-kept secrets:Terraza Cha Cha Cha. Filled with plants, pictures and an energetic zeal that feels both sophisticated and welcoming, the westward-facing views are perfect for watching the sunset while sipping on a spicy margarita.
The seafood-forward menu features favorites from many of Mexico’s coastal regions — including an excellent pescado zarandeado — and marks a fitting end to a day of cultural exploration. Bartenders will come to your table with a dolly full of your favorite liquors, and if you’re lucky, a marching band will be competing for airtime in the plaza below. As neon lights illuminate the monument soaring above Tabacalera’s cacophonous atmosphere, you’ll agree that there’s no better place to witness Mexico City’s charming chaos.
Bethany Platanella is a travel planner and lifestyle writer based in Mexico City. She lives for the dopamine hit that comes directly after booking a plane ticket, exploring local markets, practicing yoga and munching on fresh tortillas. Sign up to receive her Sunday Love Letters to your inbox, peruse her blog or follow her on Instagram.
This month, San Miguel de Allende is at its best, offering a vibrant mix of outdoor activities, the region’s largest film festival, and art everywhere you look. Let yourself be captivated by the charming cobblestone streets glistening after the rain and the lush, radiant countryside that surrounds the city.
The Jam – Fundraiser for LARF and ABBA House Celaya
In these challenging times the world is facing, it is more important than ever to stand together and remember that no human being is illegal. Join us on July 4th at 2 p.m. to support our migrants going through difficult circumstances. Admission is by voluntary donation, and 100% of all contributions will go directly to the immigrant shelter. While you help, enjoy live music and delicious food provided by Paprika Restaurant. Reserve your spot by calling 415-124-2338.
Date: July 4, at 2 p.m.
Location: Abba House
Cost: Suggested donation: 400 pesos
Independence in the Vineyards – Barrica de Fuego
Celebrate the United States’ Independence Day in a unique and family-friendly way at the Barricas de Fuego vineyard. From 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., enjoy live music, traditional Fourth of July flavors, and a magical experience among the vineyards under the stars. To reserve your spot, call (415) 689 0090. An unforgettable adventure awaits you!
Cost: 1,500 pesos per person, teens 900 pesos, children under 12, 500 pesos
Art Walk in Fábrica la Aurora
Every first Saturday of the month, Fábrica la Aurora, a beautifully renovated former textile mill in San Miguel de Allende, hosts its celebrated Art Walk. This vibrant event transforms the art center into a lively gathering place where art lovers can explore a diverse array of galleries, mingle with local artists, and enjoy live music and delicious food in a unique, creative atmosphere. The Art Walk is renowned for its welcoming community spirit and the chance to discover new talent, making it a must-visit for anyone in town seeking inspiration or meaningful conversation. Whether you’re an art aficionado or simply curious, you’re sure to meet fascinating people who share your passion for creativity.
Date: July 5, at 5 p.m.
Location: Fábrica la Aurora, Calzada de la Aurora S/N
Cost: Free
Darbukanos Dance Concert presents: Bellydance Night
The Santa Ana Theater invites you to enjoy an evening of Bellydance with the Darbukanos Dance Concert on Friday, July 11 at 6 p.m. This enchanting evening will showcase pure Arabian-style dance with the incredible Viri Reyes and the talented darbuka player Moises Ponce from Querétaro. Accompanying them are Guanajuato’s own Aurora Artemisa on flute, Saúl Taboa on violin and Héctor Gaona on oud. Produced and creatively led by Fridha Gitana, the show blends ancient and modern instruments, creating a mesmerizing fusion of tradition and contemporary rhythm. Don’t miss this unforgettable night of music and dance in San Miguel de Allende.
The LGBT+ Pride March will take place on July 12, starting from Benito Juárez Park and ending at the Main Garden. Various groups from the municipality will participate, representing the 4.7% of San Miguel’s population belonging to the community.
Date: July 12
Location: Starting at the Parque Juárez
Cost: Free
Patronal feast of Jesus the Nazarene
If you want to experience an authentic San Miguel de Allende tradition, the festival honoring Jesús Nazareno is waiting for you. From Friday, July 18 to Monday, July 21, the charming village of Atotonilco — located just 12.2 km from downtown San Miguel — comes alive with live music, Mexican food stalls, dancing, performances, fireworks, traditional dancers, and plenty of fun. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to visit the famous “Sistine Chapel of the Americas,” the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco. Every year, locals from San Miguel embark on a 12-km pilgrimage to reach the Sanctuary. Don’t miss this deeply Mexican celebration that blends faith, culture, and community spirit.
Date: From July 18 to 21, all day
Location: Atotonilco, Guanajuato (12 km from San Miguel)
Cost: Free
Festival de Blues
From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., enjoy an incredible blues concert at Foro el Obraje. Featuring Radio Blues from Mexico City, New Zealand-born pianist and soulful singer Steven Jaymes—renowned for his captivating voice and masterful blend of blues, soul, and Americana—and the local band Sunset Blues, this promises to be a magical and vibrant night for all blues lovers. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience world-class live music in San Miguel de Allende. Reserve your tickets now by calling 446-259-4821.
Date: July 19, at 5 p.m.
Location: Foro del Obraje, Calzada del Obraje #50
Cost: 524.33 pesos
GIFF
This month marks the arrival of the most important festival of the year in San Miguel de Allende: the Guanajuato International Film Festival. From July 25 to August 3, short and feature films in various categories will be screened at different venues across Guanajuato City, San Miguel de Allende, and Irapuato. This year, in its twenty-eighth edition, the festival pays tribute not only to the aesthetic and suspense of Vertigo, Alfred Hitchcock’s acclaimed film, but also to the primal emotion that pulses in our hearts during this uncertain stage of human history. It evokes a sense of vertigo that is not just individual, but social and global—a feeling that represents us all in our shared vulnerability.
Date: Starting in Guanajuato capital, on July 23, all day
Location: Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramírez “El Nigromante”, Teatro Ángela Peralta, Cinemex, Panteón municipal
Without actually saying the words, Sheinbaum made her position on U.S. negotiations with a Sinaloa Cartel leader clear at her Thursday press conference. (Gabriel Monroy/Presidencia)
Later in the press conference, the United States government’s “Big Beautiful Bill” and the legal case of Sinaloa Cartel leader Ovidio Guzmán were among the topics that were discussed.
Will the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ affect nearshoring in Mexico?
A reporter noted that the “Big Beautiful Bill,” which was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, will provide large tax incentives for large companies, making the U.S. a more attractive place for them to invest.
“Could this affect us in nearshoring, in investment in Mexico? the reporter asked.
Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard fielded the question.
“I would say two things briefly about that possibility,” he said.
Ebrard suggested that the the new U.S. fiscal bill is unlikely to hurt Mexico’s ability to draw international investment. (Presidencia)
“Firstly, it’s too early [to tell]. … We have to evaluate how [the law] will be applied,” Ebrard said.
“But the main idea you raise is: Does the reduction of tax costs on profits in the United States mean that companies will relocate to that country? I would say, well, in accounting terms it could happen, but what matters here is production — that is what is your cost in terms of relative productivity between one country and another?” he said.
Ebrard said that Mexico has a range of “very important advantages” that allows it to be competitive when it comes to attracting investment.
He cited “our productivity,” Mexico’s proximity to the United States and various “logistical advantages.”
“… In production we’re very competitive,” Ebrard said.
He subsequently said that “a system of comparative disadvantages” is being created because “every country” will have to pay a different tariff rate to ship their goods to the United States.
Ebrard cited Mexico’s productivity, location and unnamed logistical advantages as reasons that foreign companies will keep setting up shop in Mexico. (Audi México)
“… Why 6 to 1? Because the average of what was announced yesterday means that for products from Vietnam — which is a competitor of ours — entering the U.S. market will cost them an average [tariff] percentage between 35% and 40%, while for us it will cost an average of 6%,” he said.
Ebrard didn’t specify how he arrived at the 35%-40% tariff figure for Vietnam, which will face a 20% tariff on its exports to the United States and 40% if the goods are transshipped from a third country.
Mexico has a free trade agreement with the United States (and Canada), but Mexican steel, aluminum, cars and goods not covered by the USMCA currently face tariffs when entering the U.S.
Ebrard said that the “system of comparative disadvantages” he spoke about is “starting to be configured” given that the United States has reached new trade deals with Vietnam and the United Kingdom, but he noted that it remains to be seen how it will end up.
“But I’m using yesterday’s agreement [with Vietnam] as a base because it is the first agreement signed with a country with which the United States has a [trade] deficit,” he said.
“… So, [a] 6 to 1 [advantage for Mexico]. Therefore, the final balance is that our advantage will be accentuated, that’s what we are seeing. That’s why I think the [United States’] fiscal package will not affect us,” Ebrard said.
Sheinbaum turns the tables and asks reporters her own questions … about Ovidio Guzmán case
Guzmán, one of the sons of imprisoned drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán and a leader (or ex-leader) of the “Los Chapitos” faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, is scheduled to attend a plea hearing next Wednesday.
Ovidio Guzmán is planning to guilty to drug trafficking, according to U.S. court documents filed this week. (Courtesy/Cuartoscuro)
He was extradited to the United States in September 2023 after he was captured in Culiacán, Sinaloa, in January of that year. Jeffrey Lichtman, lawyer for Guzmán López, said in May that his client and the U.S. government had not yet reached a final plea deal, “but hope to in the future.”
That deal has now apparently been reached.
After describing the reporter’s inquiry about the Guzmán case as “a good question,” Sheinbaum declared that she was going to ask a few questions of her own.
“How did the United States government designate organized crime organizations in Mexico?” she asked.
“What has the United States government said with relation to terrorist organizations?” Sheinbaum asked.
“That it doesn’t negotiate with terrorists,” a reporter responded.
“And what is it doing?” Sheinbaum asked.
“Negotiating with terrorists,” responded members of the press corps.
Sheinbaum nodded in response, having made a pointed criticism of the United States government via her back-and-forth with reporters.
A little audience call-and-response helped Sheinbaum make her point without saying anything undiplomatic. (Gabriel Monroy/Presidencia)
She subsequently noted that soldiers were killed as a result of the operation to detain Guzmán, and asserted that given that the suspect was extradited to the United States there should be “coordination” between U.S. authorities and the Federal Attorney General’s Office in Mexico.
The projects promise to increase domestic vaccine production, among other goals. (Fernando Carranza García/Cuartoscuro)
Four Mexican pharmaceutical companies announced investment plans totaling more than 13 billion pesos at President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Thursday morning press conference.
Sheinbaum said at the start of the press conference that the four companies — Kener, Genbio, Neolpharma and Neolsym — had “decided to join Plan México,” the federal government’s ambitious economic initiative that seeks to spur investment and make Mexico more self-sufficient, among other objectives.
Medication shortages have plagued Mexico’s public health system in recent years. Families of children with cancer have notably led numerous protests, like this one in 2021. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartoscuro)
“Mexico needs to increase its self-sufficiency … in everything to do with medicines,” Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Thursday morning.
The CEO of Laboratorios Kener, which makes a variety of medications including injectable drugs, was the first pharmaceutical executive to speak at Sheinbaum’s press conference.
“Presidenta, today we want to proudly announce an investment plan of more than 5.18 billion pesos [US $277.3 million],” Federico Prince Laris said.
He said that Kener would expand its plant in Toluca, México state, to “triple” its “installed capacity,” and noted that the project was expected to be finished by the first quarter of 2027.
Prince Laris explained that Kener specializes in “cardiology, hematology and anti-infective products” as well as “emergency medications known as ‘crash cart‘” drugs.
“In recent years, we’ve focused on the in-hospital injectables segment, which today represents the heart of our business,” he said.
Prince Laris said that the 5.18 billion peso investment in Kener’s plant will allow the company to achieve a range of objectives:
Guarantee “national pharmaceutical sovereignty” in “several of our products.”
Create “new health registries for strategic medications for the country.”
Prince Laris said that the investment will also allow Kener to establish a “local production center for third generation CAR T cells,” which are used to treat cancer.
He said the center will be the first of its kind in Latin America and “will place Mexico at the forefront of personalized medicine.”
Federico Prince, director of Kener Laboratories, said the investment will allow Kener to establish a local production center for modified T-cells used in cancer treatment. (Gabriel Monroy/Presidencia)
The CEO said that Kener’s projects will create around “800 specialized direct jobs” and approximately 2,000 indirect ones, “boosting the economic and social development of the country.”
“Presidenta, as you see, our plans are totally aligned with Plan México,” Prince Laris said.
“… Today, more than ever, pharmaceutical sovereignty is fundamental in order to reduce dependence on foreign countries for the supply of critical medications,” he said.
Genbio’s 4-billion-peso investment in a blood plasma plant
Genbio general director José Miguel Ramos Rodríguez noted that the company he leads has a “human plasma fractionation plant” in Chalco, México state. He highlighted that the plant is the first of its kind in Mexico and all of Latin America.
At the plant, Ramos noted, “we produce essential medicines such as albumin, immunoglobulin, and coagulation factors.”
These medicines are “needed by millions of patients” and are essential to survival for some people, as is “the case for hemophiliacs who need coagulation factors,” he said.
Genbio plans to expand production of plasma-derived medications at its plant in Chalco, México state, director José Migual Ramos said. (Gabriel Monroy/Presidencia)
Ramos said that Genbio has already invested 2.4 billion pesos (US $128.6 million) in “infrastructure, technology and talent,” and announced that in conjunction with Grupo Vazol, a Mexican conglomerate, it will invest an additional 1.6 billion pesos in its México state plant, creating 100 new specialized jobs.
The additional investment “will allow us to increase our capacity to cover even more of the national market,” he said.
“… Presidenta, thank you very much for your support of the national industry and your firm commitment to the well-being of patients,” Ramos said.
Neolpharma to invest 6 billion pesos in 8 projects
Luz Astrea Ocampo Gutiérrez de Velasco, general director of Grupo Neolpharma, described the company she leads as “one of the most important pharmaceutical groups in the country.”
“We make everything from vitamins to high-specialty products,” she said.
Ocampo said that the company is planning to invest some 6 billion pesos (US $321.5 million) in coming years to carry out eight projects.
Luz Astrea Ocampo Gutiérrez de Velasco, vice president of Grupo Neolpharma, said her company is expanding production of vaccines and investing in drug development. (Gabriel Monroy/Presidencia)
On Thursday morning, she focused on the 800-million-peso “Alpharma BioGenTec” project, explaining that it is “based on two pillars.”
“One has to do with infrastructure. The infrastructure will be for the production of biopharmaceuticals from microbial cells; we will also be filling biotechnological products, and we will also be making vaccines,” Ocampo said.
“The other arm of the project is [drug] development. As of today, in this first phase that we are talking about, we already have four bio-generic drug developments,” she said, adding that the company is collaborating with CICESE, a scientific investigation center in Baja California, and the Mexico City Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation.
“But not only that,” Ocampo said. “We believe in innovation. Mexico should not only receive innovation, but also create it. We are working with public universities on two projects: one, an innovative biotechnological product, and the other, a vaccine.
“Likewise, we are in talks with prestigious companies around the world that, in the coming years, will transfer biotechnology and vaccines to us.”
The Alpharma BioGenTec project is slated to create 110 direct and 310 indirect jobs, according to information presented by Ocampo.
Neolsym announces 500-million-peso investment
The executive chairman of Grupo Neolpharma, the parent company of Neolsym, announced an investment of 500 million pesos (US $26.8 million) “for the expansion of our raw materials production project” in Ecatepec, México state, and Jiutepec, Morelos.
Neolsym makes active pharmaceutical ingredients “that form part of the medications that Mexicans use,” Diego Antonio Gutiérrez de Velasco said.
The 500-million-peso investment is slated to create 120 direct jobs and 400 indirect ones.
Neolsym plans to expand production at chemical plants in México state and Morelos that produce the raw materials needed to make a wide variety of medications used in Mexico. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartoscuro)
Gutiérrez said that currently around 90% of inputs for medications are imported, and declared that Neolsym, and its parent company Neolpharma, are committed to increasing domestic production “so that we can have greater control over the supply chain, lower costs, and ensure the availability of medicines.”
“We currently have a plant in the eastern part of México state, in Ecatepec, where we are investing in the development of molecules. And we are making a significant expansion in Jiutepec, Morelos, to launch a new plant with the capacity to produce high-potency drugs, hormonal drugs,” he said.
Foreign pharmaceutical investment coming as well, says health minister
The investment announced on Tuesday by Kener, Genbio, Neolpharma and Neolsym totals 13.28 billion pesos (US $712.1 billion). With the 2.4 billion pesos Genbio has already invested in its plasma plant, that amount increases to 15.68 billion pesos.
Health Minister David Kershenobich said that the four Mexican pharmaceutical companies are all supporting Plan México, and asserted that foreign pharmaceutical firms will as well.
He said that the government will soon announce investment plans of foreign pharmaceutical companies in Mexico.
“Instead of producing abroad,” such companies will “produce in Mexico,” Kershenobich said.
“… Investment in the [pharmaceutical] industry isn’t just national, but foreign as well, but with production in the country,” he said.
In addition to the announcements from these Mexican companies, there are also major investments from foreign pharmaceutical companies in the pipeline, Health Minister Kershenobich said. (Gabriel Monroy/Presidencia)
President Sheinbaum met with Narenda Modi at the G7 Summit in Canada last month and subsequently said that she spoke to the Indian prime minister “about the importance of strengthening economic ties between India and Mexico, particularly in some sectors like the pharmaceutical industry.”
On Tuesday, Kershenobich said that investment in the pharmaceutical sector is not just aimed at achieving “health autonomy,” but also improving “social and health well-being” in Mexico.
“And also, why not say it, [there is] an economic benefit [as well],” he said.
BYD, the world's largest manufacturer of electric vehicles, had announced in 2023 plans for a major factory in Mexico, but the plan never got off the ground. (Shutterstock)
The Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Build Your Dreams (BYD) announced on Tuesday the cancellation of its plan to build a manufacturing plant in Mexico, following months of uncertainty.
BYD cited a lack of clarity on the United States President Donald Trump’s tariff plans for the automotive sector, as well as geopolitical tensions, for the decision to rethink its investment strategy.
BYD rolled out its first vehicle from its Brazilian plant yesterday. It took the Chinese carmaker only 15 months to build the passenger car factory as part of a BRL5.5 billion (USD1 billion) project in Camacari, with annual output expected to reach 150,000 NEVs while creating… pic.twitter.com/TRSLQ3x3Dj
BYD had announced in 2023 plans to develop a plant in Mexico, where it would produce approximately 150,000 vehicles per year and generate 10,000 jobs.
The facility was expected to serve the Mexican and Latin American markets, as well as eventually the U.S.
The company remains interested in expanding in the Americas but has no timeline to make a new investment, BYD’s Executive Vice President Stella Li said in an interview with Bloomberg on Tuesday in Brazil’s Bahia state, where the firm is opening its first factory outside of Asia.
“Geopolitical issues have a big impact on the automotive industry,” Li said in the interview. “Now, everybody is rethinking their strategy in other countries. We want to wait for more clarity before making our decision.”
BYD was expected to announce the location of its planned Mexico plant by the end of 2024. However, in March, President Claudia Sheinbaum said that BYD had not submitted a formal offer to invest in Mexico.
At that time, the Financial Times (FT) reported that China’s Ministry of Commerce had not approved BYD’s investment in Mexico for fears that the company’s smart car technology could be accessed by the United States.
The FT reported that its two sources thought China was giving preference to projects in countries that are part of China’s global infrastructure development strategy — the Belt and Road initiative. They also cited “shifting geopolitical dynamics” for the lack of approval.
In early November last year, BYD said it would follow through with plans to build its first plant in Mexico, no matter the outcome of the U.S. election. That announcement initially made the investment appear more likely to happen, but that hope was dashed with Tuesday’s announcement.
Mexican center-back Johan Vásquez keeps ahead of Dixon Ramírez of Honduras during Wednesday's match. (Concacaf)
Mexico’s national soccer team will get the chance to take back the Concacaf Gold Cup this weekend after narrowly beating Honduras on Wednesday.
El Tri, as the team is known, played the semi-final against Honduras at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, where around 70,000 fans attended the event. It will now go on to play its fourth consecutive Gold Cup Final.
México 1-0 Honduras | Copa Oro 2025 | Semifinal
While Mexico dominated possession throughout the match, the team was not able to score in the first half. However, Mexico’s manager, Javier Aguirre, nicknamed El Vasco, switched up the lineup in the second half, helping push the team to victory.
Mexico’s 16-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora, a rising star known as “Chavito,” delivered a strong pass to striker Raúl Jiménez, who then scored in the 50th minute against Honduran goalkeeper Edrick Menjivar to put Mexico ahead.
Jiménez has now scored 42 goals for Mexico and is edging closer to Javier “Chicharito” Hernández’s national record of 52 goals.
The team’s captain, Edson Álvarez, scored another goal three minutes later, but after a lengthy VAR check, it was disallowed for being offside.
Mora made another would-be assist to Roberto Alvarado, but the winger was not able to score a second goal.
Mexico struggled to maintain its lead in the final minutes of the match after Vasco sent Mora off, and the players fought to keep possession of the ball. Honduras pressed hard late on but was ultimately unable to equalize.
The Mexico national team hopes to achieve a record-breaking 10th Gold Cup title, while the U.S. men’s national soccer team (USMNT) aims to win its eighth. The two teams have been widely considered the strongest throughout the tournament.
— Selección Nacional (@miseleccionmx) July 3, 2025
The USMNT, which last won the Gold Cup final in 2021, beat Guatemala for a 2-1 win in the semi-final on Wednesday.
“It’s a ‘Clasico’, Concacaf direct rival. We have to win the ‘Clasico’ — I learned that from America — it will be a war,” Reuters reported Mexico’s goalkeeper Luis Malagón as saying.
The Gold Cup final will be played at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Sunday.
The island of Cozumel, along Mexico's Caribbean coast, receives 66% of visiting cruise ship passengers. (Elizabeth Ruiz/Cuartoscuro)
Mexico began to impose a US $5 tax on cruise ship tourists on Tuesday, finally implementing a compromise between the government and the cruise ship companies that had lobbied fiercely against the originally proposed $42 (780 pesos) levy.
The government had planned for the Non-Resident Duty (DNR) to kick in as of January this year, but it was met with pushback from cruise ship companies, who argued that implementation would threaten Mexico’s tourist economy.
The $5 cruise tourist tax isn’t collected in person from the passengers as they disembark, but rather charged by the shipping company in advance. (Cuartoscuro)
The revised DNR, collected by the cruise companies in advance, was agreed upon in May between the government and the shipping sector, including the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), which represents major cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruises.
The revision set the levy at $5 (90 pesos) per passenger for 2025, $10 in 2026, $15 in 2027 and $21 by August 2028.
Upon the initial announcement of the DNR late last year, the FCCA threatened to cancel cruises to Mexican ports and halt several million-dollar investments.
Shipping companies were also asked to promote Mexican crafts, textiles and art on ships and in ports; to gather growth metrics for the participation of Mexican companies in the industry’s supply chain; and to participate in working groups led by the Mexican Association for the Attention of Tourist Cruises.
Mexico depends heavily on the cruise industry to support its tourism economy.
By the end of May, the Caribbean resort of Cozumel had welcomed 2.1 million cruise ship visitors, while the nearby beach town of Mahahual saw 1.1 million passengers pass through.
The Caribbean coast receives 66% of all visitors entering Mexico through its ports, according to the Port Directorate of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation figures.
Moss said the U.S. president's attempt to ban asylum claims was an overreach of his executive authority. (Carlos Sánchez Colunga/Cuartoscuro)
A United States federal judge ruled on Wednesday that U.S. President Donald Trump’s ban on asylum claims by migrants who cross the Mexico-U.S. border is unlawful, saying that the president exceeded his authority when he issued a “protection against invasion” proclamation on the first day of his second term.
U.S. District Judge Randolph D. Moss issued the ruling, but put a related order on hold for two weeks to give the Trump administration time to appeal. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said the U.S. government would indeed appeal and expressed confidence it would win.
Under Moss’s ruling, the ban will remain in place for two weeks to give the Trump administration time to appeal. (White House/X)
In the proclamation, the U.S. president ordered a suspension on the entry to the United States of “aliens engaged in the invasion across the southern border” until he determines “the invasion has concluded.”
Trump also directed the secretary of homeland security to “take all appropriate action to repel, repatriate, or remove any alien engaged in the invasion across the southern border of the United States.”
The U.S. president said that the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) “provides the President with certain emergency tools,” pointing out that it states that the president may “suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of alien” if he deems that their entry “would be detrimental to the interests of the United States.”
However, in a 128-page written ruling, Moss said that neither the INA nor the U.S. Constitution grants the president the authority to “replace the comprehensive rules and procedures set forth in the INA and the governing regulations with an extra-statutory, extraregulatory regime for repatriating or removing individuals from the United States, without an opportunity to apply for asylum” or other humanitarian protections.
“… The Court recognizes that the Executive Branch faces enormous challenges in preventing and deterring unlawful entry into the United States and in adjudicating the overwhelming backlog of asylum claims of those who have entered the country. But the INA, by its terms, provides the sole and exclusive means for removing people already present in the country,” wrote the judge, an appointee of former U.S. president Barack Obama.
Moss also wrote that “the President cannot adopt an alternative immigration system, which supplants the statutes that Congress has enacted.”
The Reuters news agency reported that “the decision applies to migrants who were subject to Trump’s ban or could be in the future, part of a certified class in the litigation.”
“Such class certifications remain unaffected by last week’s Supreme Court decision reining in nationwide injunctions,” Reuters said.
Moss’s ruling came in response to a challenge to Trump’s asylum ban brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of three advocacy groups as well as migrants who had been denied access to making an application for asylum in the United States.
Border crossings along the Mexico-U.S. border have been on the decline since June 2024, when former President Biden sharply limited asylum claims. Like Trump’s total ban, those restrictions faced challenged from the American Civil Liberties Union. (Mireya Novo/Cuartoscuro)
The ACLU filed the lawsuit in February, at which time an attorney for the ACLU, Lee Gelernt, asserted that “no president has the authority to unilaterally override the protections Congress has afforded those fleeing danger.”
What does the ruling mean for migrants?
If its appeal is unsuccessful, the Trump administration will be barred from expelling asylum seekers already in the United States before their cases have been considered. In addition, the ruling “could reopen asylum processing on the southern border and enable migrants to cross into the United States in hopes of seeking refuge,” The Washington Post reported.
Gerlent, the ACLU attorney, welcomed Moss’s ruling.
“The decision means there will be protection for those fleeing horrific danger and that the president cannot ignore laws passed by Congress simply by claiming that asylum seekers are engaged in an invasion,” he said.
“… The importance of restoring asylum in the United States cannot be overstated, not only for the people whose lives are in danger but for our standing in the world,” Gerlent said.
In recent years, large numbers of migrants have traveled through Mexico en route to the United States. They typically enter the country via the southern border with Guatemala and then seek to make the perilous journey to the United States by any means possible, including walking, riding on freight trains and crowding into the cargo compartments of tractor-trailers.
A caravan of migrants walks through Huixtla, Chiapas, near the border with Guatemala. (Damián Sánchez/Cuartoscuro)
While the majority of migrants seeking to reach the United States via Mexico come from Western Hemisphere countries, people from all over the world have made the journey. People from Afghanistan, Egypt and Turkey were among the migrants on whose behalf the ACLU filed the lawsuit against Trump’s proclamation.
The US government responds
Jackson, the White House spokeswoman, said in a statement that “a local district court judge has no authority to stop President Trump and the United States from securing our border from the flood of aliens trying to enter illegally.”
“This is an attack on our Constitution, the laws Congress enacted, and our national sovereignty. We expect to be vindicated on appeal,” she said.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said on X that “a rogue district court judge is already trying to circumvent the Supreme Court’s recent ruling against nationwide injunctions.”
“The American people see right through this. Our attorneys @thejusticedept will fight this unconstitutional power grab as @POTUS continues to secure our border,” she wrote.
Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, was also highly critical of Moss’s ruling.
A rogue district court judge is already trying to circumvent the Supreme Court’s recent ruling against nationwide injunctions.
The American people see right through this. Our attorneys @thejusticedept will fight this unconstitutional power grab as @POTUS continues to secure our…
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) July 2, 2025
“To try to circumvent the Supreme Court ruling on nationwide injunctions a marxist judge has declared that all potential FUTURE illegal aliens on foreign soil (eg a large portion of planet earth) are part of a protected global ‘class’ entitled to admission into the United States,” he wrote.
Trump himself didn’t comment directly on the ruling, but said in a Truth Social post on Wednesday afternoon that “we still have Radical Left Judges trying to open the Border, and defy the Supreme Court, which is why Republicans must be smart, strong, and never let these Crazed Judges turn us into a Third World Country.”
Ruling coincides with publication of data showing record-low migrant crossings
Moss’s ruling against Trump’s Jan. 20 proclamation came the same day that the U.S. government reported that illegal immigration at the Mexico-U.S. border declined to a record low in June.
“Border Patrol encountered just 6,070 illegal immigrants at the southern border in June — another record-setting low (15% lower than the previous record set in March) that underscores the effectiveness of President Donald J. Trump’s robust border enforcement policies and aggressive deportation measures,” the White House said in a statement.
“It’s a stark contrast to the Biden Administration, when approximately 10,000 unvetted migrants were illegally crossing the southern border every day at the peak of the invasion — most of whom were released into the country with little or no oversight,” the White House said.
Tom Homan, the United States’ “border czar,” said on X that “none of the 6,070” people detected by Border Patrol in June “were released into the U.S.”
U.S. “border czar” Tom Homan. (Gage Skidmore CC BY-SA 2.0)
“… President Trump has created the most secure border in the history of the nation and the data proves it. We have never seen numbers this low. Never,” he wrote.
Migrant crossings at the Mexico-U.S. border began declining after former president Joe Biden issued an executive order in June 2024 that prevented migrants from making asylum claims at times when crossings between legal ports of entry surge.
Reuters reported that “key parts of the Biden ban were blocked by a separate federal judge in May in a lawsuit also led by the ACLU.”
Manuel García-Rulfo has been nominated for an Ariel as Best Actor for his portrayal of the title character in the Netflix adaptation of Juan Rulfo's novel Pedro Páramo. (Netflix)
The film adaptation of one of Mexico’s most acclaimed novels, “Pedro Páramo,” received no less than 16 nominations for the 67th edition of the Ariel Awards.
The Ariels are the most important awards in Mexican cinema, presented annually by the Mexican Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences (AMACC) since 1947. This year’s award ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 20 in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco.
On the set of The Irishman, legendary actor Al Pacino, acclaimed director Martin Scorsese, and DP Rodrigo Prieto immerse themselves in their craft, bringing unparalleled talent and vision to the film. pic.twitter.com/UdW6j4BFiL
Pedro Páramo, directed by Rodrigo Prieto who has worked as a cinematographer for Martin Scorces, among other premier directors, premiered in select theaters in 2024 before its run on the streaming platform Netflix, which produced it. Among the film’s 16 nominations are Best Film, Best First Feature Film, Best Photography, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Direction, Best Actor (Manuel García-Rulfo), Best Supporting Actor (Héctor Kotsifakis), Best Supporting Actress (Giovanna Zacarías and Mayra Batalla) and Best Art Design.
It was listed as the No. 1 film on Netflix within 24 hours of its release, yet it received mixed reviews. Among the U.S. critics, RogerEbert.com called it “an alluring ghost story full of visual intrigue and surrealist imagery.” Meanwhile, the New York Times deemed it a “grave adaptation” of the novel in which “the filmmaking is oddly orthodox.”
Mexican critics, on the other hand, tended to praise Prieto’s technical achievements. Said one anonymous reviewer: “The contrast between the images depicting the pueblo’s abundance and decay is striking; the landscapes are enchanting and desolate, and the colors pay tribute to Mexico’s essence.”
Based on the classic 1955 novel by Juan Rulfo, the film is a work of magical realism that tells the story of Juan Preciado, who, after the death of his mother, travels to the town of Comala to look for his father, Pedro Páramo, thus fulfilling his mother’s last wish.
Pedro Páramo was previously adapted for film in 1976, when it won several Ariel awards. These included Best Cinematography (Jorge Stahl Jr.) Best Set Design (Pedro F. Miret, Xavier Rodríguez) and Best Setting (Guillermo Barclay).
Following Pedro Páramo in the number of nominations, “La Cocina” by Alonso Ruizpalacios garnered 13 nominations in various categories, including Film, Director, Actor (for Raúl Briones), Art Design, Editing, Special Effects, Original Music, and Makeup. Meanwhile, the films “They Will Not Move Us” and “Sujo” tied with 10 nominations, directed respectively by Pierre Saint Martin and filmmakers Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez.
A quirk of the Ariel Awards is that the number of nominees can vary widely from category to category, sometimes reaching a low of only three. According to AMACC head Armando Casas, the reason for that is “if more than 50% of voters vote for a film, the film is nominated. If it’s less than 50% the film isn’t nominated.”
