USMCA Review: Nuevo León's Role in the Trade Relationship with Canada

Negotiations for the review of the Agreement between Mexico, the United States, and Canada (USMCA) are progressing at a decisive moment for the North American economy, a region where industrial states like Nuevo León play a strategic role in trade and productive integration. In a context marked by political tensions and contradictory messages from the United States, the continuity of the agreement becomes crucial to ensuring stability for value chains that directly connect the state with Canada, one of its primary trade partners.

The USMCA Review Enters Its Key Phase

Marcelo Ebrard—Secretary of Economy—reported that negotiations for the USMCA review are already underway and are expected to conclude by July 1st, after the three countries finalized their internal consultations at the end of 2025.

Mexico’s objective, he explained, is to preserve the agreement in its current form and make only specific adjustments, primarily to the dispute resolution system, in order to reduce uncertainty and prevent unilateral decisions that affect productive sectors.

Furthermore, Ebrard emphasized a broad consensus in favor of maintaining the agreement, given that the economic integration among Mexico, the United States, and Canada is profound and strategic. Although the process occurs in a complex political environment—marked by critical statements from U.S. President

—, Mexico maintains that the USMCA is indispensable for trade stability and regional growth.

Nuevo León and Its Economic Relationship with Canada

Thus, the relevance of the USMCA is directly reflected in the trade relationship between Nuevo León and Canada, particularly in industrial sectors that depend on the free flow of goods and clear regulations.

Exports

In November 2025, Mexico’s exports to Canada totaled $1.882 billion. Within that total, Nuevo León was positioned as the second-largest exporting state, with sales of $210 million, representing 15.9% of the national total.

The main products exported from the state were:

Automobiles and other vehicles for passenger transport, accounting for 32.4% of total exports ($67.9 million).
Bars of non-alloy iron or steel, hot-forged or hot-rolled, representing 13.6% ($28.6 million).
Data processing machines and units, with a share of 13.5% ($28.2 million).
Parts for internal and alternative combustion engines, contributing 11.1% ($23.2 million).

Imports

Similarly, in the same month, Mexico imported $962 million from Canada, of which Nuevo León accounted for $102 million, equivalent to 11.5% of the national total. This positioned the state as one of the primary destinations for Canadian products in the country.

Among the imported goods destined for Nuevo León, notable items include:

Unwrought aluminum, accounting for 16.6% of total imports ($16.8 million).
Fresh, chilled, or frozen pork, representing 7.62% ($7.69 million).
Fresh, chilled, or frozen beef, with a share of 5.61% ($5.67 million).
Parts and accessories for motor vehicles, concentrating 5.1% ($5.15 million).

A Relationship Dependent on the USMCA

Ultimately, the trade exchange between Nuevo León and Canada demonstrates the level of productive integration achieved under the USMCA. For the state’s economy, the continuity of the agreement not only ensures preferential access to strategic markets but also provides certainty for

, the operation of industrial plants, and the permanence of supply chains that support thousands of jobs.