Mexico and Japan agree to pursue a high-level economic dialogue this year

Mexico’s Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard Casaubón, met with Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Toshimitsu Motegi, at the Secretaría de Economía headquarters in Mexico City to discuss a proposal to hold a High-Level Economic Dialogue between the two countries this year. According to the Secretaría de Economía, the meeting focused on deepening bilateral coordination on trade, investment and economic development, alongside cooperation on energy, artificial intelligence, the ongoing joint review of the USMCA and the trade opportunities available under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Mexico and Japan have maintained a bilateral free trade agreement since 2005 and are both members of the Trans-Pacific pact, giving the two governments an established framework on which to build any new coordination mechanism.

Ebrard and Motegi exchanged views on cooperation opportunities in energy and artificial intelligence, sectors both governments described as strategic for building more resilient supply chains and advancing the energy transition. The two officials also raised the possibility of extending cooperation to port renovation, rail infrastructure and logistics, areas where the Secretaría de Economía said it intends to keep exploring opportunities with Japan.

These areas track closely with priorities Mexico has set for its own industrial base, where port capacity, rail connectivity and grid reliability are recurring constraints cited by manufacturers evaluating new investment. Framing energy and AI cooperation as strategic, rather than incidental, signals that both governments see the relationship extending beyond traditional trade in goods.

Ebrard acknowledged the contribution Japanese companies have made to the Mexican economy, citing job creation and technology transfer. He reiterated that the Secretaría de Economía remains open to close dialogue with Japan’s government and its business community to support a competitive environment for investment.

Japanese manufacturers have operated in Mexico for decades, with a concentration in the automotive and electronics supply chains that supply both the Mexican and North American markets.

The officials also discussed the joint review process of the USMCA between Mexico, the United States and Canada, as well as the opportunities the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, referred to in Mexico as TIPAT, offers to expand and diversify trade ties between the two countries. Ebrard and Motegi reaffirmed the importance of close communication and a dynamic bilateral economic relationship with shared benefits.

Deputy Secretary of Foreign Trade Luis Rosendo Gutiérrez Romano, Mexico’s ambassador to Japan Melba Pría, Japan’s ambassador to Mexico and officials from Japan’s foreign ministry also attended the meeting.

A more active dialogue between Mexico and Japan on energy, artificial intelligence and logistics infrastructure builds on a relationship that Japanese manufacturers already use as a base for automotive, electronics and industrial operations in Mexico. If the proposed High-Level Economic Dialogue moves forward this year, companies with existing operations in the country, and those evaluating new ones, will have a clearer channel to track how trade, energy and logistics priorities develop between the two governments.

For companies evaluating new or expanded operations connected to these sectors, American Industries Group works with foreign companies establishing and growing operations in Mexico.

Sources: Secretaría de Economía