Senior government officials, industry executives, and policy leaders from Mexico and the United States convened virtually on March 25, 2026, for the inaugural U.S.–Mexico Roadshow, hosted by the Mexico Program at the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington, D.C.
The event brought together Guillermo Miguel of ANIQ, Jason Bernstein of the American Chemistry Council, Edgardo Briones Velázquez of the Consulate General of Mexico in Houston, and Rolando Durán Rocha of the Texas-Mexico Binational Commission. Lila Abed, director of the Mexico Program, opened and moderated the discussion.
The conversation underscored the strategic importance of the petrochemical sector to the U.S.–Mexico economic relationship and highlighted how the upcoming 2026 review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) could shape investment, manufacturing, and supply chains across the region.
Why the Petrochemical Sector Matters
A central message of the discussion was that the U.S. and Mexican chemical and petrochemical industries are deeply integrated. Speakers emphasized that Mexico is the leading destination for U.S. chemical and petrochemical exports, underscoring the sector’s importance not only for bilateral trade, but for the broader competitiveness of North American industry.
Competitiveness and the 2026 USMCA Review
Participants stressed that maintaining North America’s competitive edge—particularly against Asia—will require closer coordination between the United States and Mexico. In that context, speakers described the 2026 USMCA review as a critical moment for regional economic alignment. They called for preserving tariff-free trade, maintaining current rules of origin, and promoting science-based, coordinated regulation to support investment and strengthen supply-chain resilience.
Risks of Uncertainty
Speakers also warned that failing to extend the USMCA for another 16-year term, or moving toward more frequent reviews, could generate significant uncertainty for investors and undermine long-term planning, manufacturing growth, and regional competitiveness. They noted that the consequences would extend well beyond the petrochemical sector and affect multiple industries tied to North American production chains.
Investment Opportunities
The discussion also highlighted important investment opportunities in both countries, particularly in raw materials, waste management, and recycling infrastructure, including plastics recycling. Speakers noted that these areas could strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity, attract new investment, and reinforce regional supply chains if supported by stronger policy coordination between both governments.