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What’s New This Week

Good morning, this week, Trump’s tariffs send markets reeling and disrupt global supply chains — but as panic spreads, Mexico steps forward with strategy and strength. Meanwhile, two unlikely voices — Joe Rogan and Ann Coulter — break with Trump over immigration, exposing cracks in the GOP base. And on the border, a new generation is building bridges that politicians keep trying to tear down.

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Trade Winds

Rising Tariffs, Rising Opportunities: Why Mexico Is Still America’s Best Bet

Trump’s tariffs may shake global supply chains, but smart businesses can turn this moment into a catalyst for regional growth.

As sweeping tariffs return to the national political stage, businesses across the country are once again left asking: how do we protect our margins, our customers, and our long-term growth? A proposed 10% blanket tariff on imports—regardless of origin—could hit nearly every sector of the U.S. economy, from retail to construction to clean energy. But while much of the debate focuses on disruption and risk, there’s another side of the story.

From my work in both government and the private sector, I’ve seen firsthand how policy shocks like this can catalyze smarter decision-making, stronger regional partnerships, and even long-term advantage—especially for those of us invested in North America’s future.

Here’s what many are missing: in this moment of uncertainty, Mexico isn’t part of the problem—it’s a key part of the solution.

Mexico’s Strategic Advantage Is Clearer Than Ever

Amid these new tariff threats, the U.S. quietly signaled what many of us already know: North American trade relationships are too deeply intertwined to unravel without consequences. Mexico has remained exempt from certain new U.S. tariffs, affirming its critical role in U.S. supply chains. At the same time, Mexico is showing that it won’t be sidelined—it has announced new 25% tariffs on U.S. vehicles that don’t comply with USMCA rules of origin. This signals a maturing partnership, one grounded in trade law, mutual accountability, and increasing economic interdependence.

As someone who’s spent years building cross-border coalitions and advising companies on U.S.-Mexico strategy, I see this as a defining moment to reset—not retreat.

Five Smart Moves for Business Leaders Right Now

1. Run a Tariff Risk Assessment on Your Supply Chain
Audit your inputs, components, and suppliers. If you're importing from Asia or relying on parts that don’t meet USMCA rules of origin, you may be more exposed than you think. This is the time to evaluate whether producing or sourcing from Mexico could improve compliance and reduce long-term costs.

2. Take Nearshoring Seriously—It’s No Longer Optional
Relocating supply chains to Mexico isn’t just about labor costs or avoiding tariffs—it’s about regional resilience. I’ve helped companies navigate this process and seen how Mexican industrial hubs offer skilled labor, infrastructure, and legal certainty under USMCA that are hard to match in overseas markets. It’s time to act, not wait.

3. Invest in Binational Resilience, Not Just Diversification
Instead of chasing the lowest-cost supplier around the globe, consider building lasting relationships with Mexican firms. Joint ventures, shared logistics hubs, and co-manufacturing operations create efficiencies that withstand political turbulence. Trust me—these relationships matter when policies shift overnight.

4. Align with Government Incentives and Development Banks
There’s an emerging wave of capital from both U.S. and Mexican sources aimed at boosting regional production in key industries—EVs, semiconductors, clean energy. I’ve worked on these cross-border initiatives and can say with confidence: the resources are there. Businesses need to get to the table now, not after the next policy shock.

5. Be a Voice for North American Economic Unity
Business leaders shouldn’t be passive observers of trade policy. We need to advocate for pragmatic, forward-thinking frameworks that protect North American competitiveness. In meetings with public and private stakeholders, I continue to emphasize the need for policy certainty, infrastructure investment, and deeper regional integration.

The Path Forward Is Regional, Not Reactionary

The trade dynamics unfolding today aren’t just about tariffs—they’re about what kind of economy we want to build for the next decade. One based on fear and fragmentation? Or one that bets on the strength of our region, our workers, and our capacity to adapt?

With the right planning and partnerships, U.S. companies can use this moment to strengthen—not weaken—their foundations. And that means leaning into the opportunity right next door.

Mexico isn’t just a workaround—it’s our most strategic trade partner. I’ve seen what’s possible when we align policy, investment, and purpose across the border. Let’s not wait for the next disruption to act. Let’s start building a smarter, more secure North American future—today.

Power Move

Mexico’s Tariff Retaliation Isn’t Just Payback — It’s a Power Play for Regional Credibility

Mexico’s recent decision to impose a 25% tariff on U.S.-made vehicles that fail to meet USMCA rules of origin wasn’t just a shot across the bow — it was a clear signal: Mexico is ready to defend the rulebook and lead on regional trade integrity.

This move came as the U.S. floated a new wave of import tariffs. But while other countries scrambled to respond, Mexico acted strategically — exempted from new U.S. tariffs and enforcing its own. This marks a shift in posture. For too long, Mexico was seen as the junior partner in North American trade. Not anymore.

I’ve seen this evolution firsthand. In my conversations with public and private leaders across the border, it’s clear Mexico is no longer content to simply “be included” in U.S. economic plans. It wants to co-lead.

This should be welcomed. A strong, assertive Mexico that enforces USMCA, invests in its own industrial ecosystem, and protects shared standards benefits all of us. It gives U.S. investors more certainty. It forces China-alternative suppliers to meet higher thresholds. And it creates the environment we need to reimagine the North American region as a competitive bloc — not just a series of bilateral arrangements.

The power move here isn’t just the tariff. It’s the message: Mexico is ready to be a full partner in setting — and upholding — the terms of 21st-century trade.

The Border Buzz

Young People Are Building a New Border Narrative

When we talk about the U.S.-Mexico border, too often the conversation is stuck in the language of crisis — security, migration, enforcement. But spend some time in border communities, and you’ll see something else entirely: a new generation reshaping what the border means and what it can be.

These young leaders — students, entrepreneurs, artists, coders — are bilingual, bicultural, and bold. They don’t just cross the border physically; they’re crossing it intellectually and emotionally, blending ideas from both nations into something uniquely powerful. And they’re not waiting for permission from Washington or Mexico City to lead.

In Nogales, high schoolers are designing binational STEM projects that solve local infrastructure challenges. In El Paso–Juárez, young entrepreneurs are launching startups that sell in dollars and pesos. On TikTok and Instagram, creators are celebrating Spanglish, border slang, and regional pride with global audiences.

They’re not just responding to policy shifts — they’re redefining what’s possible in a place many outsiders only associate with dysfunction. Where some see division, they see opportunity. Where others see walls, they’re building bridges — in culture, commerce, and connection.

I’ve worked across the border for years, and what gives me the most hope today isn’t in a policy document — it’s in the energy of these young people. They’re reminding us that the future of the border won’t be written in a press release. It’ll be lived, created, and led — by them.

Power Poll

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