What Opportunities Does 2026 Bring for the Metallurgical Industry in Nuevo León?

The metallurgical industry of Nuevo León approaches 2026 with a combination of structural challenges and strategic opportunities driven by the state’s industrial dynamism, the impact of the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), and the impetus of nearshoring. As a productive and export hub in North America, the competitive capacity of this sector will depend on its integration into global value chains, the leveraging of commercial advantages, and adaptation to international regulatory changes.

During 2025, Nuevo León consolidated its industrial leadership in Mexico. According to INEGI, industrial activity in the entity grew 5.5% in June and 4.6% in the cumulative first semester of 2025, contrasting with declining trends in other regions of the country, which positioned the state as first nationally in industrial growth.

Furthermore, the IMMEX export manufacturing industry IMMEX reported that Nuevo León maintained 386,983 jobs by the end of August 2025, leading in direct job creation with 737 active IMMEX establishments, making the state a national benchmark in manufacturing with an export focus. In this favorable environment, the metallurgical industry—which includes the production and transformation of metals such as steel and aluminum—is positioned as a strategic component due to its links with sectors like automotive, machinery, construction, energy, and capital goods.

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Official data from the Government of the State of Nuevo León indicate that metal industries contribute 14% of the state’s manufacturing GDP, with growth of 8.7% and significant participation in exports, where products made with aluminum represent almost 37% of the total exported from the entity. This performance is relevant not only for local production but also for the integration of supply chains that link manufacturers, suppliers, and exporters within the North American market framework.

One of the factors that will shape 2026 for the North American metallurgical industry is the scheduled review of the USMCA for that year. The treaty, in force since 2020, regulates trade between Mexico, the United States, and Canada and has been fundamental in ensuring tariff-free access to one of the world’s largest markets for Mexican exports, including metallurgy. In Nuevo León, 95% of exports are already covered by the USMCA and are tariff-free to the United States and Canada, something the state government has highlighted as a factor of commercial certainty to attract investment, maintain jobs, and connect companies with global markets without tax barriers. The 2026 review represents an opportunity to strengthen rules of origin, investment, and competitiveness, aspects that metallurgical companies are closely monitoring given that their access to inputs and export markets depends on the maintenance of these benefits.

In the regional context, the USMCA continues to be a strategic advantage by excluding Mexico from tariffs faced by other third-party countries outside the treaty, which strengthens Nuevo León’s appeal as a production platform for exporting within this barrier-free market. The state also promotes the “Made in Nuevo León” strategy, whose objective is to integrate a robust local supply chain that complies with USMCA rules of origin, avoiding tariff costs for companies that produce inputs within the treaty and export without restrictions.

The State Secretariat of Economy positions Nuevo León as a logistics hub for advanced manufacturing in North America, with competitive advantages such as tariff-free access within the USMCA, modern infrastructure, and a consolidated local supply chain. This momentum translates into a favorable environment for attracting companies seeking to relocate part of their production from regions with high tariff costs, taking advantage of the entity’s industrial value and connectivity.

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An example of this productive commitment is the construction of a new steel plant in Pesquería, resulting from an investment of 3.2 billion dollars, which is projected to be one of the most modern and sustainable steel complexes in North America and will begin operations in the first half of 2026, with a capacity of 2.6 million tons of steel per year. This project, led by a company in the sector, not only expands production capacity but also creates over 1,800 direct and indirect jobs and positions the region on the global map of advanced metal manufacturing.