International Trade Law in Mexico

Introduction

Mexican international trade law is shaped by its network of free trade agreements, particularly the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA, formerly NAFTA), and its membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Secretariat of Economy (Secretaría de Economía) is the principal government agency responsible for trade policy, trade remedy investigations, and export promotion. The Foreign Trade Law (Ley de Comercio Exterior) and the Customs Law (Ley Aduanera) form the core of the domestic legal framework.

Trade Agreements

Mexico has one of the most extensive networks of free trade agreements in the world, with 14 FTAs covering over 50 countries, including the USMCA, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and agreements with the European Union, Japan, and numerous Latin American countries. The USMCA, which entered into force on July 1, 2020, replaced NAFTA and includes updated provisions on rules of origin, digital trade, labor standards, and dispute settlement.

Trade Remedies

The Foreign Trade Law and its regulations govern anti-dumping, countervailing, and safeguard investigations. The International Trade Practices Unit (Unidad de Prácticas Comerciales Internacionales, UPCI) within the Secretariat of Economy conducts investigations and recommends the imposition of trade remedy measures. Mexico is among the most active users of anti-dumping measures globally, particularly in steel, chemicals, and textiles. The law establishes procedures for investigation, preliminary determinations, and final determinations, with judicial review available before the Federal Tribunal of Administrative Justice (TFJA).

Customs Regulation

The Customs Law regulates the importation and exportation of goods, including customs valuation, classification, origin determination, and duty assessment. The National Customs Agency of Mexico (Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México, ANAM) administers customs procedures and enforces customs laws. Mexico has implemented the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement and the Revised Kyoto Convention. The law establishes customs compliance requirements, penalties for violations, and procedures for customs clearance.

Export Promotion

The Secretariat of Economy, through the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID) and ProMéxico (restructured), promotes Mexican exports and foreign direct investment. The Foreign Trade Law provides for export promotion programs, including temporary import schemes for export-oriented industries (Programas IMMEX), sector promotion programs (PROSEC), and drawback mechanisms.

Conclusion

Mexican international trade law is deeply integrated with global trade governance through the WTO, USMCA, and a vast network of FTAs. The legal framework provides robust mechanisms for trade remedy enforcement, customs administration, and export promotion, supporting Mexico’s position as a major global trading nation.