Mexico Sets Foreign Investment Record in 2025

Mexico is currently in the international economic spotlight after government officials confirmed what is being described as the Mexico foreign investment record 2025. Speaking to reporters during a recent press briefing, Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard confirmed that net foreign direct investment (FDI) in Mexico had already surpassed $40 billion as of September 2025, a 15% jump over the previous year and one of the biggest economic stories of the year so far. This level of investment not only exceeds many analysts’ projections at the start of the year but also cements Mexico’s position as one of the Western Hemisphere’s most sought-after investment destinations. Inflows from key investors such as the United States, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada helped Mexico weather the storm, as countries with long-standing business ties invested in industries ranging from manufacturing and financial services to insurance, construction, mining, and tourism. Growth has been widespread as these and other sectors across Mexico continue to build momentum, while initiatives to reshape global supply chains and nearshoring have also played an important role in the upbeat Mexico foreign investment record 2025.

Mexico Breaks Record for Inflows

Wednesday, 19 November. Mexico’s government confirmed that it had reached a new record in the third quarter of 2025, confirming that it had also registered the Mexico foreign investment record 2025 in terms of overall investment flows this year. Net FDI in Mexico is now nearly $41 billion between January and September 2025, with signs that inflows have remained strong in the third quarter. Ebrard said this capital has come at a time of persistent uncertainty around the world, with inflation, geopolitical risks, and interest rate volatility weighing on growth. At the same time, Ebrard said Mexico’s macroeconomic policies have delivered a stable and competitive business environment, while a strong exchange rate and a resilient manufacturing sector that has bounced back from the pandemic have also supported the economy. In the face of these positive factors, Mexico has outperformed its regional peers, with Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina all showing weaker investment activity thus far in 2025. According to government data, 37% of total FDI went to manufacturing, 25% to financial services, and 5% to construction.

Mexico Gains New Investments in Record Year

The story of the Mexico foreign investment record 2025 has been marked by a significant increase in the number of first-time investments in the country. Although reinvestments from existing firms continued to grow over the course of 2025, new investments grew dramatically as 2025 witnessed a record amount of first-time FDI into Mexico. These investments more than doubled to $6.5 billion, representing just over a third of total FDI. Ebrard said that new investments have grown as a result of  widespread global confidence in Mexico’s economic fundamentals, an endorsement of current government policy, and a recognition of long-term stability. A growing number of new projects has increased Mexico’s profile as a destination for foreign investors seeking to expand into new production locations with competitive infrastructure, skilled labor, and access to North American markets.

Mexico’s Export Growth Boosts Outlook

Mexico’s exports are set to be at the center of economic and political discussions in 2026. Mexico has actually increased its export activity over the past year, despite concerns that new tariffs or other measures could harm the economy. This development has only reinforced many of the fundamental elements underpinning the Mexico foreign investment record 2025. Export-dependent sectors such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, agriculture, and medical devices have all expanded output. Mexico has long been well-positioned to serve as a hub of activity for North American supply chains due to its proximity to the United States and Canada, an extensive network of free trade agreements, and a well-developed logistics infrastructure. The country has capitalized on these strengths to benefit from nearshoring, with large companies bringing investment and jobs to Mexico as they seek to realign global supply chains and create more resilient production networks.

Mexico to Host APEC in 2028

Mexico was chosen to host APEC 2028, the Secretary of Economy announced. APEC, or Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, is a group of Pacific Rim economies that represent 61% of global GDP. The organization includes major economies such as the United States, China, Japan, Canada, South Korea, and Australia, and it has been a factor behind a number of the initiatives that helped Mexico register the Mexico foreign investment record 2025. These range from digital commerce to transportation and logistics initiatives, sustainability, and more. Hosting the 2028 APEC summit will provide Mexico with new opportunities to deepen its relationships with some of the most dynamic Asia-Pacific economies, such as China, South Korea, Indonesia, and Vietnam. It will also be able to engage with its neighbors on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a trade agreement that offers even more opportunities in areas such as digital trade, intellectual property, and industrial standards.

A Step Towards Regional Trade Integration with a Delay

Guatemala has officially completed its accession to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Republic of Korea and the Republics of Central America, after years of processes that began almost a decade ago for the rest of the region. Lawmakers approved the instrument in a late-night session of Congress, and thus Guatemala was the last of the isthmus countries to integrate into a framework designed to expand bilateral trade, promote investment, and stimulate economic cooperation with one of Asia’s most dynamic economies. Until today, Guatemala was the only country in the isthmus that did not participate in the commercial framework and was at a relative disadvantage compared to its neighbors, which have already been benefiting for years from preferential access to the South Korean market. For Guatemala, full integration in the Guatemala-Korea Free Trade Agreement is a strategic milestone to even the regional playing field.

Background: The Long Process to Accession

The Republic of Guatemala signed the Protocol of Accession in January 2024, but the full ratification process took an entire year. Administrative requirements, legislative processes, and analysis by several institutions of the technical obligations associated with the agreement have taken time and delayed the instrument. In contrast, other countries in Central America ratified their accessions nearly a decade earlier and have been taking advantage of tariff reductions and commercial benefits for several years. The entry-into-force timeline for the other countries is a clear indicator of Guatemala’s delay: Nicaragua and Honduras took effect on October 1, 2019; Costa Rica on November 1, 2019; El Salvador on January 1, 2020, and Panama on September 1, 2021. For these countries, several years of strengthening ties with the Korean market have been generating dividends in the diversification of trade and the expansion of exports of agricultural, industrial, and manufactured products.

Negotiations and Guatemala’s Absence in the Regional Treaty

Negotiations for the FTA began in June 2015 with the aim of opening Asian markets to Central American products. The treaty was finally signed on February 21, 2018, but Guatemala was the exception since, at the time, unresolved technical issues such as market access and product classification prevented its signing. These technical gaps prevented the country from signing the document at that time, which effectively postponed its participation and its access to the initial commercial benefits that the rest of the region has been receiving for several years. Only much later, through studies and economic analyses, was Guatemala able to identify sensitive sectors and those that could benefit the most from the agreement. It was also only then that a gradual and prepared adaptation could take place of the country’s industries to the competition that the arrival of South Korean imports would represent. This was a necessary process to prepare Guatemala to face the Guatemala-Korea Free Trade Agreement fully and strategically.

Legislative Process and Approval of Decree 18-2025

The initiative that would finally approve Guatemala’s accession was presented to the Legislative Directorate in December of the previous year. However, it was not until June of the following year that it was taken to the floor of the House, and it was only in late September that deputies began to debate it formally. These long delays had to do with the shifts in the political environment, the change in congressional priorities, and the time required for legislative deliberation in Guatemala. In the end, by 110 votes in favor, during a marathon session that left five decrees in total, Congress approved the measure as Decree 18-2025. Once published in the Official Gazette, the decree will enter into force eight days later. The only remaining procedural step is its transmission to the Executive Branch, where it will be subject to final review and sanction by the President of the Republic, which is usually a formality but is still a requirement for its implementation.

Commercial Impact and Opportunities for Guatemala

For its part, according to information from the Congress of the Republic, the FTA with Korea is an important opportunity to strengthen Guatemala’s commercial capabilities. The agreement would serve to promote trade expansion and diversification between the parties and to facilitate the cross-border flow of goods and services. South Korea is a market with solid demand for agricultural products, processed foods, textiles, and other goods, and it is therefore an attractive destination for Guatemalan exports. At the same time, Guatemalan industries would have better access to high-quality Korean technologies, machinery, vehicles, and electronics, under more favorable tariff conditions. For certain sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and telecommunications, access to imported inputs from Korea at lower prices could help to increase productivity and competitiveness. For exporters, producers, and investors, participation in the Guatemala-Korea Free Trade Agreement should therefore open up new opportunities.

Promotion of Fair Competition and Investment Conditions

Promoting fair competition and establishing transparent rules of the game in the framework of the free-trade zone are among the most important objectives of the trade instrument. With standardized guidelines for customs procedures, dispute resolution, intellectual property rights, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures, the FTA would create a predictable legal environment for investors and exporters. Guatemala in particular is expected to benefit from an increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) as Korean companies seek new production bases, assembly operations, or distribution channels in Central America. With stronger legal protections and clearer market-entry procedures, Guatemala is likely to become a more attractive investment destination for Korean firms and for companies in other countries.

Guatemala’s Technical and Productive Capacities

One of the most promising features of the FTA is its potential to contribute to the development of Guatemala’s technical and productive capacities. The country would benefit from cooperation programs that support technology transfer, industrial modernization, and workforce training. Korea has a global reputation as an innovative country and its leadership in sectors such as electronics, automotive manufacturing, and high-tech industries may open up opportunities for collaboration in areas such as education, digital transformation, and small-business development. In the long term, these types of cooperation could help Guatemala to upgrade its production chains, improve export quality standards, and enhance its participation in global value chains.

Strategic Importance for Guatemala’s Economic Policy

Guatemala’s accession to the FTA also has strategic importance for the country’s economic policy of strengthening international trade ties and diversifying export markets. In an increasingly globalized world, countries that establish trade agreements with advanced economies with a technology-intensive productive matrix can improve resilience and reduce dependence on traditional markets. Participation in the FTA with Korea is a way for Guatemala to position itself more competitively in Asia. This region is one of the fastest-growing in the world and, in the future, offers growing opportunities for Latin American exporters. With the Guatemala-Korea Free Trade Agreement in force, Guatemala can be more effective and prepared to face these emerging markets.

With the ratification of its long-awaited entrance into the FTA, Guatemala opens up a new stage of economic engagement with South Korea. The country is the last to join the agreement but this fact does not mean that it is not gaining access to a robust and strategically important commercial framework that could help it to support national development, stimulate flows and encourage deeper economic cooperation in years to come.

A New Stage in the Relationship

On November 18, 2025, the American Chamber of Commerce in Chile (AmCham Chile) met with U.S. Ambassador to Chile, Brandon Judd, for the first time since he began his mandate. The meeting, which was led by AmCham’s President Roberta Valenca and featured General Manager Paula Estévez and Vice President Nicolás Goldstein, was held in a friendly, constructive, and future-oriented environment. During this meeting, AmCham and the ambassador shared their views on the business and investment relationship between the United States and Chile. They reaffirmed their mutual commitment to continuing and deepening their cooperation.

Timing for Strengthening Bilateral Ties

This meeting comes at a time when both countries are working to find more opportunities for closer ties and benefit from each other’s prosperity. Interest in strengthening bilateral relationships is growing, especially in the context of global economic changes, supply chain diversification, and the desire to develop projects with greater sustainability and innovation. This was reaffirmed in the meeting between AmCham and the ambassador, who highlighted the importance of promoting initiatives that support and enhance trade and investment with Chile.

AmCham’s Strategic Priorities

In this first meeting, the AmCham delegation presented the organization’s report on its priorities for the coming years, where it emphasizes the need to improve the business climate, promote innovation-led industries, and support public-private dialogue that shapes clear, future-looking policies. The organization also said that by strengthening economic ties between countries, it would be opening up growth opportunities and continuing the long tradition of cooperation and engagement in trade and investment with Chile.

Opportunities in Key Sectors

A key topic of the meeting focused on the identification of current and future opportunities for U.S. and Chilean companies to strengthen their ties. In this regard, technology and digital transformation were among the most important as Chile continues to emerge as a regional hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Renewable energy was also a central topic, with Chile at the forefront of Latin America in developing clean energy sources, especially solar, green hydrogen, and sustainable mining, among others. Agribusiness, which has long been a key link between the two countries, also continues to have room to modernize and expand to meet growing global demand.

President Roberta Valenca Said There is Synergy Between the Commercial Interests of the Two Countries

President Valenca pointed out that “Chile and the United States are natural allies and there is a strong synergy between the commercial interests of both nations, as highlighted in this meeting. The spirit of the meeting reaffirmed our shared vision of promoting well-being, sustainable growth, and innovation in the region and allows us to give continuity to the work of AmCham Chile as a bridge between public and private institutions to facilitate spaces for collaboration that would enable companies to develop, be more competitive, and contribute in a positive way to the economy. “

U.S. Ambassador Brandon Judd Will Seek to Deepen Engagement with U.S. Business

The AmCham delegation also addressed the interest Ambassador Judd has in deepening his knowledge of Chile’s business environment, as well as his commitment to facilitating and strengthening the support that U.S. companies receive from the embassy to invest in and do business in Chile. The ambassador has expressed a clear interest in strengthening cooperation and maintaining bilateral dialogue, as well as ensuring that investors have access to the necessary information, institutional support, and proper engagement channels with authorities in the United States and Chile. His efforts to promote a favorable investment climate and remove barriers to investment are part of a broader goal of strengthening regional competitiveness and promoting lasting commercial relationships.

Aligning Vision to Collaborate

AmCham representatives welcomed the proactive approach taken by the ambassador and his team and reaffirmed their readiness to work with the embassy to continue improving regulatory transparency, reducing bureaucracy, and supporting innovation, digitization, and workforce development. It was agreed to work on defining channels that allow both institutions to establish mechanisms for continuous dialogue, to be able to identify bottlenecks, and jointly propose solutions that support and benefit trade and investment with Chile.

Responding to Global Economic Trends

In addition, both sides have discussed the need to respond adequately to global economic trends that are increasingly shaping competitiveness and international integration. From digital transformation to supply chain resilience and sustainability, cybersecurity, innovation, and disruptive technologies, these issues are now key elements of business strategy in different sectors. In this regard, the United States Embassy and AmCham have expressed interest in developing joint work mechanisms that allow companies to better navigate these changes, reduce vulnerabilities, and strengthen long-term resilience. For his part, Ambassador Judd said that the United States views Chile as a stable, predictable, and strategic partner, well-positioned to receive future investment flows thanks to its openness to innovation, its strong institutions, and the long tradition of cooperation and engagement in trade and investment with Chile.

Contributing to the Growth of Local and International Companies

AmCham Chile also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting not only local companies but also U.S. companies that seek to invest in or do business in the country. The organization stressed that closer links between domestic and foreign companies would accelerate technology transfer and skills building, thereby strengthening the competitiveness of Chile’s productive and business landscape as a whole. They also reaffirmed their goal of continuing to improve access to useful information, promoting the growth and development of companies, and supporting the adoption of policies that help to improve the quality of life for all Chileans.

Closing Remarks: A Firm Commitment to the Future

In conclusion, this first official meeting since the start of the ambassador’s mandate points to a new stage of a stronger relationship between AmCham Chile and the U.S. Embassy. It also highlights the strategic relevance of strengthening bilateral cooperation at a time when the global challenges call for more coordinated responses than ever. The commitment shared by both institutions is clear: to continue to work together to promote economic dynamism, innovation, and long-term prosperity. This closer engagement will be key to creating a more competitive, resilient and prosperous framework for trade and investment with Chile.

Bolivian reintegration into global markets has become one of the most pressing economic priorities for the incoming administration. In the context of a challenging economic landscape—marked by fiscal stress, declining investment, and deteriorating global confidence—Bolivia is at a turning point. Rebuilding its relationship with international partners, investors, and institutions will be essential if the country expects to regain competitiveness, attract long-term investment, and generate sustainable growth.

The events surrounding the October 31 visit of Bolivia’s president-elect, Rodrigo Paz, to Washington, D.C.—where he met with the U.S. Secretary of State and senior officials from key multilateral financial organizations—highlight this urgent reality. The goal of the visit was clear: to secure financial support to stabilize the national budget, address public spending needs, and lay the groundwork for renewed public investment amid the severe economic challenges inherited from past administrations.

Yet public investment alone will not be enough. A strong, credible, and proactive strategy to bring Bolivia back into the world economy is indispensable.

Why Bolivia Must Prioritize Its Reintegration into the Global Economy

Sustainable economic development requires two fundamental components: public investment and private investment. While the government can inject resources into infrastructure, social programs, and state-led projects, private investment—especially foreign direct investment (FDI)—is what brings productivity, innovation, know-how, and long-term growth. Without foreign capital flowing into productive, high-impact sectors, Bolivia cannot build a robust and sustainable development model.

Unfortunately, Bolivia has experienced a stark decline in FDI. According to ECLAC, Latin America received $188.962 billion in FDI in 2024, but Bolivia captured only $247 million, equal to just 0.13% of the regional total. In other words, the country has become nearly irrelevant as a destination for global investors.

For Bolivia’s reintegration into global markets, this declining investment trend is unsustainable and must be reversed through a coherent, credible, and long-term state policy.

A Four-Pillar Roadmap for Bolivia’s Reintegration into Global Markets

To successfully reinsert itself into the global economy, Bolivia must advance across four complementary fronts:

1. Domestic legislative reforms
2. International legal realignment
3. Institutional reintegration
4. Contractual restructuring

Together, these four pillars form the basis for a modern, credible, and market-oriented economic framework.

1. Domestic Legislative Reform: Rebuilding National Legal Certainty

The first step for Bolivian reintegration into global markets is the creation of a safe and trustworthy domestic legal environment. Investors will not bring capital into a country where laws are contradictory, unpredictable, or susceptible to political manipulation.

Key domestic challenges

Several existing laws actively discourage investment. A prime example is the Marcelo Quiroga Santa Cruz Law, which enables the criminal prosecution of business leaders without effective judicial oversight. Its discretionary application has allowed authorities to use it as a pressure tool or—even worse—as a political weapon. Its retroactive enforcement violates international due-process standards and severely undermines investor confidence.

Additionally, the 2009 Constitution prohibits the State from submitting to international arbitration in hydrocarbon disputes (Article 366). Although subsequent laws, such as Law 708 and General Ruling 002/2016, sought to soften this restriction, Bolivia still has a hostile environment toward arbitration—one of the most critical mechanisms for investor protection.

Where Bolivia must go next

• Modernize and streamline legislation affecting investment.
• Remove or revise contradictory or discretionary norms.
• Establish predictable, transparent regulations aligned with international best practices.
• Clearly define when the State can participate in international arbitration.

By creating a stable regulatory framework, Bolivia can restore trust and demonstrate that the rule of law—not politics—guides economic decision-making.

2. International Legislative Realignment: Reconstructing Investment Treaties

A successful strategy for Bolivian reintegration into global markets requires rebuilding the country’s international legal architecture.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Bolivia signed more than twenty Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) with strategic global partners, including the United States, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and France. These agreements provided legal certainty, clear dispute-resolution mechanisms, and standardized rules for investors.

However, successive MAS governments dismantled nearly all of these treaties, leaving Bolivia with minimal international investment protection and few institutional channels to resolve disputes.

Priority actions for reengagement

• Renegotiate and sign new BITs that attract high-quality investment.
• Rejoin ICSID (International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes) to provide reliable, internationally recognized dispute resolution.
• Establish minimum environmental, labor, and governance quality standards that investors must meet to obtain treaty protections.

These steps would send a clear message to the global community: Bolivia is ready to restore trust, follow international norms, and offer stable conditions for long-term investment.

El Salvador reached a deal with the US to drop the 10% tariff that had been imposed at the beginning of the year on a number of Salvadoran export products. This measure is seen as beneficial both in the short and long term for several export sectors, especially the textile and apparel industry, which is the main source of export revenues for the country.

In an interview with Diario Latino, Economy Minister María Luisa Hayem said that the removal of this tax, which was levied as part of a broad review of the Salvadoran-US economic relationship, will immediately reduce the cost of doing business for exporting companies. “To start with, 10% that we will no longer have to pay,” she said. “We are going to begin with this,” Minister Hayem added.

Coffee, manufactured goods, and agro-industrial products also appear in the measure, but the textile industry is the main winner since, in addition to accounting for most of the export revenues, this is an extremely competitive segment with strong pricing pressure in international markets. The elimination of the tariff will allow Salvadoran producers to have an advantage over competitors from Asia and other Latin American countries.

In the long term, the evolution of the Salvadoran textile industry in the last decade places the country in an ideal position to take full advantage of the agreement. In recent years, textile firms in El Salvador have invested in new production facilities to incorporate more automation and use synthetic fibers and designs. These efforts have allowed the textile industry to go from simple assembly operations to producing higher value-added garments, which makes El Salvador, as it finalizes an agreement with the US, an ideal destination for companies looking for a cost-competitive platform near the North American market.

The Importance of Bilateral Trade for El Salvador

One of the key points made by the Minister during the interview is the relevance of the United States to El Salvador as a trading partner. The United States absorbs around one-third of Salvadoran exports and is, by far, the destination that receives the largest volume of Salvadoran products. “It is our main export partner, the one that receives the largest share of our products,” Hayem said.

For international investors, especially those considering larger or more strategic investments, the increased access to the United States market should also improve confidence. Minister Hayem said that the stability and breadth of U.S.–El Salvador economic ties are important factors that companies take into account when deciding where to invest. The agreement, which aligns Salvadoran export incentives more closely with those of the U.S., should allay the concerns of companies that value that type of market access.

As the global economy continues to be reconfigured, with many U.S. companies re-shoring their supply chains out of Asia and toward the Western Hemisphere, this perception and reputation become more important. A large part of these new supply chains, which put more emphasis on nearshoring as a way of reducing logistical risks and time-to-market, includes El Salvador as a cost-competitive link. As El Salvador finalizes an agreement with the US, this event should give additional impetus to that process.

Consultations With Business Associations and Exporters

Minutes after the joint press release was made public, announcing the elimination of the tariffs, MINEC met with several business chambers, export associations, and some individual companies to explain in greater detail the scope and procedures related to the agreement, to make sure that exporters are aware of the compliance requirements, and to listen to the concerns and expectations of the private sector.

Silvia Cuéllar, president of the Salvadoran Exporters Corporation (COEXPORT), told Diario Latino that the textile industry is the main sector that will benefit from the deal, given the importance of this activity in terms of exports to the United States and the strong drive of investment, technology, and innovation that they have maintained. She also emphasized the need to analyze the implications of the agreement for other segments. “We have to wait for the definitive outcome; for example, there are nostalgic products, and we don’t know if they are included,” Cuéllar said. Nostalgic products are food and other goods traditionally consumed by Salvadorans living in the United States, which have also become a specialty and growing market in the U.S.

Export Results and Projections

From January to September, exports totaled $5,137.6 million, an increase of 5.7% compared to the same period of the previous year. This growth was mainly due to textile manufacturing, plastic products, and foods and beverages, which were among the products with the best performance in terms of value.

Exports to the United States during the period reached $1,605.2 million, down 1.8% compared to the figure for 2014 reported in the study. In a context of trade disruption and supply chain bottlenecks that have affected the region as a whole and with the additional burden of inflation, this result is not surprising. The removal of the tariff is expected to reverse this downward trend and spur growth for the remainder of the year and beyond.

Expectations are that exports will continue to grow, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of GDP, which could help offset the impact of import costs on inflation and currency exchange. One of the factors that will help exports grow in the coming months is seasonality, as the last quarter of the year is usually one of the busiest in terms of export volume due to demand in the United States. According to MINEC, as El Salvador finalizes an agreement with the US, the drop in production costs as a result of the elimination of the tariff should be reflected in increased production volumes and, consequently, in the generation of more jobs in the exporting sector.

Integration, Competitiveness, and the Future

In general, the elimination of the tariff is the culmination of a process of strengthening economic integration between the two countries. As El Salvador finalizes an agreement with the US, this process is taking place at a time when regional supply chains are being re-designed with new criteria that prioritize resilience, transparency, and, above all, efficiency. For Salvadoran companies, this represents an opportunity to attract more investment, increase the level of modernization, and consolidate the country as a regional manufacturing pole.

The government has announced that it will release additional technical documents and operational guidelines in the coming days, which should provide greater clarity to exporters and facilitate the implementation of the agreement. For the moment, the reaction of the business sector is positive, and there is a broad expectation that the agreement will consolidate El Salvador’s place in U.S. value chains and stimulate sustainable export growth.