Prodensa Weekly Manufacturing Report Mexico February 18, 2026
US - MEXICO PRESIDENTIAL NEWS
CRITICAL MINERALS
US-MEXICO ACTION PLAN
• After the announcement last week of a joint action plan with the United States on critical minerals, President Claudia Sheinbaum and Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard addressed the issue during the morning press conference, defending Mexico’s participation in the negotiations as part of the USMCA review.
• Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico’s sovereignty remains intact.
• Also, Ebrard revealed that the U.S. has invited Mexico to join a group aimed at reaching a multilateral agreement on the extraction of critical minerals, with the first meeting among participating countries scheduled for Friday 12th. He argued that, geopolitically, Mexico must begin strengthening its own mineral production so it can collaboratively trade with nations that possess resources it lacks.
• Meanwhile, Washington has placed critical minerals at the top of its USMCA agenda, seeking to build a North American framework that reduces dependence on China’s supply chains.
• For Mexico, deeper cooperation in critical minerals, could unlock investment and reinforce nearshoring, yet aligning with U.S.-led frameworks may test its sovereignty-driven mining and industrial policies at a pivotal moment for the USMCA.
SOURCE: EL FINANCIERO, FORBES
US
- MEXICO
USMCA REVIEW PROCESS
• U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly asked his team to outline why the United States should not withdraw from the USMCA. The request comes ahead of the treaty’s scheduled review before July 1st and amid renewed trade tensions and a campaign marked by Trump’s protectionist rhetoric. If not renewed, the pact would face annual reviews until its expiration.
• As a response, President Claudia Sheinbaum downplayed the possibility of a U.S. exit, stating that Trump has not raised the issue in bilateral calls and emphasizing the agreement’s importance for the United States. She confirmed Mexico’s intent to maintain continuity and stability in the negotiations; which was confirmed by Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard, who mentioned they are trying to perfect the treaty.
SOURCES: EL UNIVERSAL
MEXICO–U.S. GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
• A bipartisan delegation of eight U.S. lawmakers traveled to Mexico to strengthen bilateral dialogue on security, trade, migration and agriculture. The group included five Republicans and three Democrats, reflecting a coordinated congressional interest in North American cooperation ahead of the USMCA review.
• The delegation held talks with Mexican deputies and senators at the Chamber of Deputies and with Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente. The topics of the meetings included security coordination the 1944 Water Treaty, fentanyl trafficking, arms flows, organized crime and the future of USMCA.
• This is a clear sign of an overall interest from the U.S. and Mexico’s authorities to maintain communication channels open to address key issues of both nations.
SOURCE: LA JORNADA
- MEXICO
MEXICO-US DEFENSE COOPERATION
• The Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA) and Secretariat of the Navy (SEMAR) participated in the the Western Hemisphere Chiefs of Defense Conference in Washington, D.C. The meeting brought together defense ministers and military chiefs from 35 countries across the region to discuss shared security challenges and strengthen hemispheric cooperation.
• Discussions focused on regional stability, transnational threats and mechanisms to enhance military coordination among participating nations.
• Within this framework, Mexican officials reaffirmed that the implementation of Mexico’s 2024–2030 National Public Security Strategy, along with operational coordination with U.S. Northern Command along the shared border, has contributed to reducing drug flows into the United States.
SOURCE: EMBASSY OF MEXICO IN THE US
LEGISLATIVE CHANGES AND INITIATIVES
LABOR
• MINUTE AMENDING ARTICLE 123 OF THE CONSTITUTION REGARDING REDUCTION OF WORKING HOURS
Presented by: Senate
Objective: Establishes a forty-hour workweek with at least one paid rest day per six worked, limits overtime to twelve weekly hours, prohibits overtime for minors, mandates gradual reduction from 2026 to 2030, and prohibits salary reductions, requiring secondary legislation reforms within ninety days.
Status: Referred to Joint Committees for opinion on February 11, 2026.
• INITIATIVE WITH DRAFT DECREE AMENDING SECTION VI OF ARTICLE 537 OF THE FEDERAL LABOR LAW
Presented by: Sen. Verónica del Carmen Díaz (MORENA)
Objective: Adds to the objectives of the National Employment Service the design, implementation, and evaluation of targeted employment programs for youth and vulnerable groups, prioritizing individuals who have successfully completed job training programs referenced in Article 123 of the Constitution.
Status: Published in the Parliamentary Gazette on February 11, 2026.
LEGISLATIVE CHANGES AND INITIATIVES
TRADE
• AGREEMENT AMENDING THE INSTRUMENT TO ISSUES GENERAL RULES AND CRITERIA ON FOREIGN TRADE
Presented by: Ministry of Economy
Objective: Announces amendments to rules on automatic import notices for steel products, introduces new registration requirements for suppliers in the Mill Catalog, and provides for the simplification and digitalization of administrative procedures related to foreign trade.
Status: Published in the Official Gazette on February 12, 2026.
ENVIRONMENT
• INITIATIVE WITH DRAFT DECREE ADDING ARTICLE 3 AND ARTICLE 15 OF THE GENERAL LAW OF ECOLOGICAL BALANCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Presented by: Sen. Maki Esther Ortiz (PVEM)
Objective: Incorporates the definition of environmental justice as the right to fair, equitable, and participatory treatment in decisions affecting the environment and public health, regardless of social condition, and establishes environmental justice as a guiding principle in environmental policy.
Status: Published in the Parliamentary Gazette on February 10, 2026.
NEWS BY STATE
BAJA CALIFORNIA
More than 500 business leaders and public officials gathered in Tijuana on February 12 at the Museo Ámbar for the launch of Tijuana Competitiva, a new initiative aimed at shaping a shared vision for the city’s economic future. The platform seeks to strengthen collaboration between the municipal government and the private sector to influence public policy, generate jobs, protect existing businesses, and build a new economic development model focused on competitiveness, investment, and social prosperity. During the event, Mayor Ismael Burgueño Ruiz introduced five strategic pillars to boost the local economy and attract new investment, marking a new level of coordination between authorities and industry. Organizers emphasized that Tijuana Competitiva will continue as an ongoing forum for dialogue and action to help the city navigate a challenging economic year with a sustainable growth strategy.
SOURCE: INDUSTRIAL NEWS BC
NEWS BY STATE
SONORA
Sonora-based company Beyond Movilidad Compartida announced a $115 million investment to develop and produce a fully Mexican-engineered electric vehicle in Hermosillo, aimed primarily at fleet leasing for last-mile delivery and passenger transport. Backed by the state government and aligned with Mexico’s “Plan México” and “Plan Sonora” energy transition strategy, the project plans to unveil a functional prototype in June and showcase it at the 39th Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS39) in Long Beach, California. The vehicle will meet at least 75% regional value content requirements under USMCA (T-MEC) to enable exports to the United States. Production is set to begin in 2028 at a new plant currently under construction in Hermosillo, starting with 1,000 units and scaling up to 18,000 units within five years. Rather than direct sales, the company will adopt an operational leasing model at approximately $800 per month, positioning the vehicle as a competitive, locally manufactured solution for neighborhood mobility and commercial distribution.
SOURCE: MOTORPASION
NEWS BY STATE
CHIHUAHUA
The State of Chihuahua strengthened its foreign investment strategy by presenting its competitive advantages to business leaders from Quebec, Canada, positioning the state as a strategic hub for industrial and technological development in North America. Led by the Ministry of Innovation and Economic Development (SIDE) and the Economic Development Agency (Prodech), the delegation highlighted Chihuahua’s strong performance in key sectors such as electronics, aerospace, mining, electromobility, and medical devices, as well as its integration into global value chains and robust infrastructure. Officials emphasized the state’s aerospace cluster, incentive packages, and strategic projects like the San Jerónimo Development Pole, while also promoting collaboration opportunities based on economic similarities with Quebec. The visit included a tour of Cenaltec’s technical training facilities, underscoring Chihuahua’s public-private partnership model and its commitment to developing specialized talent to support advanced manufacturing and nearshoring opportunities.
SOURCE: MEXICO NOW
NEWS BY STATE NUEVO LEON
The Confederación de Asociaciones de Agentes Aduanales de la República Mexicana (CAAAREM) held its Extraordinary General Assembly in San Pedro Garza García, marking a new phase in the modernization of Mexico’s customs system through the approval of a statutory reform aimed at strengthening foreign trade operations. Led by its president, José Ignacio Zaragoza Ambrosi, the reform focuses on professionalization, legality, and greater technological integration in customs clearance processes, aligning the organization with updated customs legislation and global trade challenges. Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM) head Rafael Marín Mollinedo emphasized that stronger coordination between authorities and the private sector enhances transparency, legal certainty, and competitiveness. Representing 38 associations nationwide, CAAAREM plays a key role in ensuring regulatory and fiscal compliance, while continuing to develop digital tools that streamline customs procedures and improve logistics efficiency across Mexico’s ports, airports, and border crossings.
SOURCE: MEXICO INDUSTRY
NEWS BY STATE QUERETARO
Automotive and Aerospace Meetings Querétaro 2026 brought together more than 400 companies from over 15 countries, reinforcing Querétaro’s role as a strategic hub for both the automotive and aerospace industries in Mexico. Organized by Advanced Business Events, the forum (February 17–19) generated more than 8,000 pre-scheduled one-to-one business meetings between qualified suppliers and high-level buyers. State officials emphasized that manufacturing accounts for nearly 30% of Querétaro’s GDP, with transport equipment—automotive and aerospace— representing a major share, highlighting the region’s specialization in high-value manufacturing. Key themes included regional value content under USMCA (T-MEC), supplier development, advanced manufacturing, electromobility, hybrid technologies, and circular economy practices. The event reaffirmed Querétaro’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and strengthening regional value chains in two of its most strategic industries.
SOURCE: CLUSTER INDUSTRIAL
NEWS BY STATE
MEXICO CITY
• The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, will invest $50 million in new industrial parks across Mexico for the 2025–2027 period, with a strategic focus on Mexico City as one of the key destinations.
• The financing will be channeled through Fibra Macquarie, a leading industrial real estate developer and operator. In Mexico City, the investment is expected to strengthen the capital’s position as a logistics and light manufacturing hub, amid rising demand driven by nearshoring and supply chain relocation trends.
• For the capital, expanding industrial infrastructure is critical to meeting growing demand for well-located facilities with strong connectivity and access to skilled labor. IFC noted that industrial parks play a major role in inclusive economic development, supporting millions of jobs nationwide and reinforcing Mexico City’s role as a strategic node in national and North American value chains.
SOURCE: LA JORNADA
NEWS BY STATE
STATE OF MEXICO
• The government of the Estado de México will unveil the new “Marca Inversión Estado de México” in the coming weeks, aiming to launch a new phase of industrialization with a special focus on the eastern region of the state.
• Laura González, head of the state’s Ministry of Economic Development, said the initiative seeks to attract projects in strategic sectors such as electrical and electronic manufacturing, data centers, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and motorcycles. The strategy is aligned with the federal Plan México, while prioritizing stronger local supply chains and support for companies already operating in the state.
• Authorities have conducted a comprehensive assessment to provide investors with certainty regarding energy availability, water supply for industrial use, land use regulations and medium- and longterm resource planning. Officials stressed that recently granted permits are based on careful infrastructure planning to ensure sustainable growth, avoid future disruptions and protect local communities as new investments arrive.
SOURCE: ASÍ SUCEDE
INVESTMENT NEWS
NORTHERN MEXICO
ARTISTIC MILLINERS
Artistic Milliners, a global textile and apparel manufacturer, is expanding operations in Coahuila with a new facility to increase production of knitwear and garment solutions. The expansion strengthens the region’s textile supply chain and positions Coahuila as a competitive hub for apparel manufacturing.
ELASTOMER SOLUTIONS
Elastomer Solutions, a manufacturer in the automotive rubber and sealing components industry, inaugurated a US$15 million plant in Zacatecas. The facility will produce high-precision elastomer products for global OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers, strengthening Mexico’s automotive supply chain.
DAIMAY
Daimay, a supplier of automotive interior systems, began operations at its first of three planned plants in Parras, Coahuila, backed by a US$46.7 million investment. The new facility strengthens local production capacity for headrests, armrests, and molded interiors and supports the regional automotive supply chain.
INVESTMENT NEWS
CENTRAL MEXICO
GRUPO SAN LUIS
Grupo San Luis, a construction materials distributor, invested US$2.9 million to open a new wholesale sales point in Yauhquemehcan, Tlaxcala focused on cement and building supplies. The project will create 42 direct and 35 indirect jobs and strengthen the regional construction supply chain.
HENN AMÉRICAS
Henn Americas, a manufacturer in the automotive seating and interior components industry, inaugurated a new plant in Silao, Guanajuato with a US$4 million investment. The facility will create 100 direct jobs, expanding production capacity for automotive seats and reinforcing the region’s role in the automotive supply chain.
SOURCES: MEXICO INDUSTRY, CLUSTER INDUSTRIAL
PRODENSA INSIGHTS
How Cross-Sector Innovation Is Reshaping Investment in North America
Investment decisions in North America are no longer driven by single industries. Cross-sector innovation— where manufacturing, technology, energy, and logistics intersect—is redefining how capital flows and where growth accelerates.
This article explores how convergence across sectors is creating new competitive advantages, why regional collaboration matters more than ever, and how companies can position themselves within these emerging industrial ecosystems.
• Why sector convergence is driving new investment
• How innovation ecosystems create regional advantage
• What this means for long-term competitiveness
Why Smart Companies Are Paying Attention to World Cup 2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is more than a sporting event—it’s a catalyst for infrastructure, investment, and regional integration across North America. For forward-looking companies, it signals where capital, logistics upgrades, and urban development will accelerate.
This article examines how World Cup 2026 is influencing infrastructure projects, cross-border coordination, and sector-specific opportunities—particularly in construction, mobility, hospitality, and supply chains.
• Why global events shape long-term investment patterns
• Where infrastructure and logistics will expand
• How companies can anticipate the ripple effects
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