Italy strengthens its alliance with Mexico for 2025, combining trade strategy and gastronomic diplomacy in the face of Trump's new tariffs.
Faced with the return of former President Donald Trump to the center of the U.S. political stage and the threat of 20% tariffs on European products, the Italian government has decided to make a move: Mexico has been officially declared one of the 14 strategic countries for Italy in 2025
The situation with the United States makes it necessary to diversify. Mexico has a unique position and a great opportunity to become a priority partner for Italian exports
The decision also responds to a palpable commercial reality: the new Global Agreement between Mexico and the European Union, which provides for zero tariffs on a wide range of industrial, agricultural and food products.
According to the most recent data from the Ministry of Economy, trade between Mexico and Italy in 2023 presented a balance clearly favorable to the European country. Mexico exported mainly machines and data processing units 69.5 million dollars, while it imported mainly motor vehicle parts and accessories 609 million dollars.
The most active Mexican entities in this relationship were Mexico City, Nuevo León and Jalisco. Despite this trade dynamic, foreign direct investment (FDI) from Italy to Mexico was negative in 2024, with a balance of -16.8 million dollars, reflecting a net withdrawal of capital, although with positive flows to states such as Baja California and Coahuila.
In terms of human ties, also reported by the Ministry of Economy, Mexico received 2.72 million dollars in remittances from Italy during the fourth quarter of 2024, more than triple the 819 thousand dollars sent. In addition, 2,301 Italian immigrants were counted in the country in 2020, mainly in Mexico City, Puebla and Nuevo Leon. Most of them are between 40 and 59 years old and migrated for economic and family reasons. These data reveal that, beyond trade and investment, the relationship between both countries is sustained by a significant migratory and affective connection.
