Mexico: The Trans-Pacific Partnership and Its Challenges
When Mexico signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta), the country tied its fate to that of its North American neighbors. But given the Asia Pacific region’s strong economic growth, Mexico is seeking new impetus. By inserting itself into current trade dynamics, in particular by promoting and participating in negotiations like those for the Pacific Alliance among Latin American countries, but especially the development of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (tpp) signed on February 4, 2016, Mexico is looking to maintain its position as a vital international trade and investment hub associated with u.s. value chains. This article examines what drove Mexico to join the tpp as well as the opportunities and challenges that have arisen as a result.