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China’s businesses in Mexico

Image: Shutterstock

News

China

World

Americas

As Chinese businesses launch operations in Mexico, managers learn cross-cultural lessons

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

A BYD advertisement at the Mexico City airport. Photo: Ji Siqi

Roberto Arechederra, Jalisco’s secretary of economic development. Photo: Handout

Haitian, an injection-moulding machine maker from China’s Ningbo city, has a plant in Centro Logistico Jalisco. Photo: Igor Patrick

Inside the Haitian factory in Centro Logistico Jalisco. Photo: Ji Siqi

Setting up shop in Mexico helps avoid US tariffs, but Chinese companies still must confront major concerns about labour costs, profitability and cultural differences.


Chinese manufacturers in Mexico tread on thin ice amid threat of more US barriers

The industrial city of Monterrey, Mexico, is 140 miles (225km) south of the US border. Photo: Siqi Ji

In December 2019, Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland (left), Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (standing, centre), Mexico’s Deputy Foreign Minister for North America Jesus Seade (seated, centre), US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer (bottom-right) and Mexico’s Secretary of Labor and Social Welfare Luisa Maria Alcalde (right) discuss trade at the Presidential Palace in Mexico City. Photo: Reuters

Hengli Mexico, originally from Jiangsu province, is a hydraulic component supplier to engine equipment manufacturers like Caterpillar. Its new plant in Monterrey is expected to begin operations this year. Photo: Siqi Ji

Inside office furniture manufacturer Sunon’s factory in Monterrey, Mexico. Photo: Handout

Washington fears that Chinese cars may be able to come over the southern border with zero tariffs under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.


Chinese expatriate entrepreneurs find a new gold rush destination in Mexico

Illustration: Henry Wong

Entrepreneur Lin Yun, who is originally from Fujian province, stands at the entrance of his office in Mexico City. Photo: Siqi Ji 

The China Guangzhou International Commercial City’s Wholesale Centre in Mexico City is one of Lin Yun’s markets. Photo: Siqi Ji 

Stores inside Yiwu City offer a variety of items for sale, including keychains and water bottles. Photo: Siqi Ji

A new Chinese-style wholesale market on Jose Maria Izazaga Street in Mexico City. Photo: Siqi Ji

Lin Yun’s biggest wholesale centre, the 16-storey Yiwu City, is named after a market in eastern China. Photo: Siqi Ji 

Seeking economic opportunity, Chinese merchants build bustling wholesale markets, sell Made in China goods and deal with occasional resistance from Mexican vendors.


In-depth looks at how Chinese businesses are investing in Mexico, and the hurdles they must clear.


Series

China’s businesses in Mexico

In-depth looks at how Chinese businesses are investing in Mexico, and the hurdles they must clear.

As Chinese firms launch Mexican operations, managers learn cultural lessons

Setting up shop in Mexico helps avoid US tariffs, but Chinese companies still must confront major concerns about labour costs, profitability and cultural differences.

Chinese manufacturers in Mexico tread on thin ice amid threat of US barriers

Washington fears that Chinese cars may be able to come over the southern border with zero tariffs under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Expatriate Chinese entrepreneurs find a new gold rush destination in Mexico

Seeking economic opportunity, Chinese merchants build bustling wholesale markets, sell Made in China goods and deal with occasional resistance from Mexican vendors.