51吃瓜

Mexico and the EU are at a critical juncture, with their interests aligning in ways that could strengthen their diplomatic and economic relationship. The recent leadership changes in both Mexico, with Claudia Sheinbaum鈥檚 election, and the EU, with Ursula von der Leyen鈥檚 reappointment as Commission President, present an opportunity for a renewed strategic partnership. However, their efforts to deepen collaboration will face challenges, including navigating the shifting priorities of a new American administration and addressing historical tensions over issues like colonial legacy and economic imperialism. Despite these hurdles, both Mexico and the EU have much to gain from a strengthened partnership, particularly in areas like trade, climate policy and emerging technologies. By focusing on shared priorities, such as sustainability, green energy and digital transformation, Mexico and the EU can address their mutual goals and shape a future of cooperation that benefits both regions

Mexico and the EU have maintained diplomatic relations since 1960, but only formalized regular political dialogue with the signing of the in 1997. In 2008, the two furthered their bilateral relationship by establishing a , which helped their collaboration across political, security, environmental and socio-economic issues.听聽

In 2023, the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean (CELAC) States signed a declaration with . This EU-CELAC summit, the first in eight-years, signals a renewed commitment to collaboration. However, there has been limited follow up. Mexico, as a versatile Latin American between North and South America, is well-positioned to lead in fulfilling these goals and should seize this momentum. Mexico also significantly benefits from high (FDI), and with Western countries. While the United States and Canada contribute the largest share, the EU became Mexico鈥檚 source of FDI in 2023.

Despite these links with Europe, Mexico sometimes resents what it perceives as enduring Western economic and cultural . Most recently, Mexico demanded that Spain for its colonial exploitation in Mexico. When Spain refused, Mexico snubbed the king of Spain by him to Sheinbaum鈥檚 inauguration. This dispute reflects a deeper disagreement over the of European colonization in the Americas, which could strain the Mexico-EU relations in key areas such as economic ties and security cooperation.听

Bolstering the economy聽

The EU is Mexico鈥檚 third-largest trading partner and second-largest export market, with bilateral trade reaching over in 2023. Mexico and the EU conduct trade according to the terms outlined in the 1997 Global Cooperation Agreement.听

Despite a mutual desire to modernize and reaffirm the Agreement, progress has since 2019. Alleged problems with transparency and civil rights protections have sparked to reforming and renewing the Agreement. European and Mexico鈥檚 ambivalence regarding the Agreement鈥檚 impact on the country鈥檚 have further delayed the ratification process.听聽

Alicia B谩rcena, Mexico鈥檚 outgoing foreign minister, identified the modernization of the Agreement as one of the foreign policy issues facing the incoming Sheinbaum administration. However, prospects for mutually adopting the modernized agreement appear promising. Sheinbaum鈥檚 new foreign minister, Juan Ram贸n de la Fuente, has expressed his support for the agreement.听

De la Fuente also that Mexico would host a German delegation as the first official visit from a foreign government under Sheinbaum鈥檚 administration. This strategic decision highlights Germany鈥檚 role as Europe鈥檚 and the world鈥檚 , after the United States, China and Japan. It signals that despite the dispute with Spain, Sheinbaum鈥檚 administration will work to strengthen ties with EU countries.听

Beyond trade, the tourism relationship between Mexico and the EU is becoming more complicated. Mexican tourism declined in 2024, with contributing to this decline. At the same time, the EU’s share of international tourists to Mexico has remained since the COVID-19 pandemic.听

For the Mexican tourist industry to recover, the Sheinbaum administration must convince international travelers that they are going to tackle the underlying issues affecting tourism, starting with Mexico’s high crime and violence rates.

The security balancing act

The EU also faces significant challenges with its opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This, combined with Mexico鈥檚 ongoing battle with cartels, and the fact that both issues have extended beyond their geographic boundaries, is likely to strain the Mexico-EU security relationship.

Mexican cartels have supplied cocaine to European criminal groups since the , and recently, some cartels have refined cocaine Europe. A 2022 joint by Europol and the US Drug Enforcement Administration revealed that the EU has also become a key transit point for Mexican cartels moving methamphetamine to Asian markets.

In response, the EU has increased security cooperation with Mexico through like the Europe, Latin America and Caribbean Programme of Assistance against Transnational Organized Crime (), which was renewed for its in 2023. The EU is also a data-sharing agreement with Mexican law enforcement agencies to improve the detection and prosecution of cartel activities in Europe.听

However, European and Mexican interests diverge on the EU鈥檚 primary security concern: Russian revanchism. EU member states, particularly Poland, have been among Ukraine鈥檚 ardent supporters since the 2022 Russian invasion. In contrast, Mexico has maintained a and has taken actions that have frustrated Russia and the West. Mexico in the United Nations to condemn Russia鈥檚 invasion of Ukraine, co-authored a resolution on aid to Ukrainian civilians with France and abstained from a vote on suspending Russia from the Human Rights Committee.听

Despite this, Mexico has criticized the EU Parliament for Ukraine and has made controversial decisions, such as allowing Russian soldiers to in its annual Independence Day parade in Mexico City. The EU, for its part, is concerned about Russian in Latin America intended to shape the popular perception of the war in Ukraine given that Mexico shows signs of a significant Russian intelligence . If these disagreements intensify, they could hinder Mexico-EU security cooperation.

Greening the partnership聽聽

A key strength in the European-Mexican relationship is their shared commitment to investing in science and technology. Since 2005, Mexico and the EU have a bilateral agreement that dialogue and identifies potential areas for cooperation through the EC-Mexico Joint Science and Technology cooperation committee. In 2020, both sides agreed to renew and strengthen their collaboration, particularly in renewable energy and sustainability. The EU offers various frameworks for Mexico to engage with, including the Investment Agenda mechanism.

Last October, the Global Gateway forum outlined concrete steps for , the European program aimed at delivering more sustainable and effective development aid, to work with Mexico. Several announced focused on sustainability and green energy production. Among them was a shared emphasis on their respective green taxonomies and ensuring investment flowing into and out of Mexico align with green standards. Additionally, the European Investment Bank a letter of intent to support , a sustainable energy project in Mexico.听

President Sheinbaum has significant interest in continuing to invest in Plan Sonora to position Mexico as a leader in lithium and solar energy on the global stage. She has also plans to establish a Ministry for Science, Humanities and Technology and Innovation, signaling that environmental concerns will be a strategic priority for her government.

The EU continues to seek partners who can supply critical raw materials to ensure a smooth transition to a green economy and reach its green agenda ambitions. Competition from China, Russia and the United States has led the EU to ramp up its partnership in Latin America as its influence in Africa .听

Given Mexico鈥檚 , the EU should continue to invest in the partnership and support the scaling up of resource extraction. With Sheinbaum鈥檚 climate science background and her prior role as Secretary of Environment in Mexico City, there is optimism regarding Mexico鈥檚 climate future. However, skepticism remains about her ability to distance herself from her predecessor, Andr茅s Manuel L贸pez Obrador (AMLO), and his strong ties to Mexico鈥檚 fossil fuel industry. Now is an opportune moment for the EU to leverage Mexico鈥檚 new leadership, encouraging the country to fulfill its climate commitments and advance shared climate goals.

Future-proofing technology聽

Building on Mexico鈥檚 climate potential, the EU can also play a key role in shaping Mexico鈥檚 approach to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). As Mexico advances its AI legislation, it could benefit from the EU鈥檚 regulatory experience, particularly with initiatives like the Act and Act. In 2024, the EU Commission established the to streamline and enforce the AI Act throughout the EU. As countries around the world navigate the AI regulatory landscape, the AI Office has prioritized becoming 鈥渁 global .鈥� As Mexico moves with AI legislation, it could look to the EU for guidance.听

Beyond AI, technology policy aligns well with the priorities of both parties. Mexico鈥檚 current administration places a high priority on digital policy, and the newly-established aims to modernize Mexico鈥檚 government by consolidating digitization efforts across various agencies. One key goal is to streamline operations, such as tax collection efficiency. Much of this expertise comes from Sheinbaum鈥檚 in transforming Mexico City into a digital capital during her tenure as mayor, where her reforms brought over 70% of public interactions online.听

The EU should seize the opportunity to work with Mexico鈥檚 digitally-savvy administration. Past efforts, such as the 2017 dialogue to strengthen their digital markets and share strategies for , should be expanded. Europe can support Mexico in its journey toward digital regulation and technological modernization, and both can collaborate on sharing best practices as they face similar challenges in the digital world.听

As the EU its new commissioners and Sheinbaum prepares for a , domestic realities will shape their respective foreign policies. However, both parties share common ambitions that could be pursued through a strengthened strategic partnership between Brussels and Mexico City.听

For Mexico, deepening its partnership with the EU could diversify its economic relationships and enhance its role as a bridge between Europe and Latin America. For the EU, deeper engagement with Mexico provides an opportunity to strengthen its geopolitical influence and secure vital resources for its green agenda. Mutual respect, clear priorities and a shared vision for sustainable development will be crucial in forging a relationship that advances interests of both sides and positively impacts regional relations.

Ultimately, the future of this partnership depends on Mexico and the EU鈥檚 willingness to tackle challenges together, innovating their approaches to diplomacy and cooperation. If they do so, they have the potential to transform their relationship into a model of 21st-century international partnership鈥攐ne that acknowledges the complexities of the past while advancing a future shaped by shared goals and mutual prosperity.

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The views expressed in this article are the author鈥檚 own and do not necessarily reflect 51吃瓜鈥檚 editorial policy.