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Mexico's Evolving Trade Landscape for Electronics F E AT U R E A RT I C L E by Ya z m i n E l i za b et h G o n zá l ez Vá zq u ez , State of Guanajuato (COFOCE) 22 SMT007 MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER 2025 T he electronics industry is one of the strongest pillars of global trade, generating more than $580 billion annually in EMS companies. It drives innovation in automotive, telecommunications, medical devices, and clean energy. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Mexico has consolidated its position as a strategic hub in North America. Mexico exports more than $100 billion in electronics each year, employs over 330,000 specialized workers, and ranks among the top five global exporters in several categories. The ongoing wave of nearshoring has further strengthened Mexico's role as a reliable partner for resilient and regionally integrated supply chains. In this context, Guanajuato is a key logistics and manufacturing center connecting the heart of Mexico's industrial corridor. From this vantage point, COFOCE (Coordinadora de Fomento al Comercio Exterior de Estado de Guanajuato) works hand-in-hand with companies to ensure compliance, competitiveness, and continuity in a rapidly changing trade environment. Mexico's Proposal: A Legislative Adjustment in Process On Sept. 9, 2025, the Mexican government submitted to the Mexican Congress a reform to the Import and Export Tax Law (LIGIE). It is still a proposal—part of the 2026 Economic Package—and must go through several legislative stages before becoming law: 1. Review by the Economy, Trade, and Competitiveness Committee of the Chamber of Deputies. 2. Debate and approval by the full Chamber of Deputies. 3. Review and approval by the Senate. 4. Final promulgation by the Executive in the Official Gazette of the Federation. Debate and voting were expected between September and October 2025. If approved, the changes would take effect 30 days after publication, likely in late 2025 or early 2026, and remain valid until Dec. 31, 2026. However, based on previous extensions, the industry should anticipate a longer duration. The initiative proposes tariff increases between 10–50% on 1,241 tariff lines, specifically for products imported from countries without a free trade agreement (FTA) with Mexico. Trade under existing agreements, such as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the European Union, would remain unaffected. Mechanisms such as the Sectoral Promotion Program (PROSEC) and Rule 8 would also continue to operate, mitigating potential impacts on critical inputs.