With the Trump administration preparing to impose tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico starting Tuesday, trade experts emphasize the importance of supply chain mapping to mitigate additional costs on materials and shipments.
Alejandro Gomez-Strozzi, an international trade attorney with Foley & Lardner in Mexico City, underscored this point during a webinar titled “International Trade and Manufacturing in Mexico Under the New Trump Administration: What to Expect and How to Prepare.” Speaking on Wednesday, he stressed the need for businesses to thoroughly map their supply chains to avoid unexpected disruptions.
“One of the most crucial aspects right now is ensuring you have a clear and detailed understanding of your supply chains,” Gomez-Strozzi said. “Companies must systematically assess where their materials and components originate, how suppliers are impacted, and what adjustments can be made to navigate potential tariff increases.”
Gomez-Strozzi, who previously served as Mexico’s undersecretary of economy and was a negotiator for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) under Trump’s first term, expressed skepticism that the tariffs would ultimately be enforced. However, the White House has maintained its stance on implementing a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada starting Tuesday.
“The USMCA was supposed to ensure that member countries could not arbitrarily raise tariffs on each other’s exports, except under national security exceptions,” he explained.
On February 3, Mexican and U.S. officials agreed to a temporary one-month suspension of the proposed tariffs. In exchange, Mexico committed to deploying 10,000 National Guard troops along its border with the U.S. to combat drug trafficking.
“The Trump administration has cited national security concerns as a potential justification for these tariffs,” Gomez-Strozzi said. “However, it is difficult to argue that every single product exported from Mexico—whether avocados, candy, piñatas, automobiles, electronics, or auto parts—poses a national security risk.”
The webinar was part of the 2025 In-House Connect Supply Chain & Trade Law CLE Summit, hosted by Foley & Lardner LLP and In-House Connect. The event brought together experts to discuss trade policies, supply chains, tariffs, and international trade laws.
Foley & Lardner LLP, based in Milwaukee, has over 1,100 lawyers across 26 offices worldwide, specializing in sectors such as energy, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing. In-House Connect, based in New York, is a networking group for in-house legal professionals with more than 10,500 members across the U.S.
Mexico’s Response: Plan Mexico
Fernando Camarena, a senior tax and business adviser with Foley & Lardner in Mexico City, highlighted the Mexican government’s response to potential tariff actions. He noted that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration recently introduced Plan Mexico, a strategy aimed at protecting industries and attracting foreign investment.
“Plan Mexico, launched on January 13, focuses on tax incentives, streamlining administrative processes, and investing in infrastructure, energy, urban mobility, and housing,” Camarena explained. “The ultimate goal is to position Mexico among the world’s top 10 economies.”
Currently ranked between the 13th and 14th largest economy globally, Mexico seeks to expand its economic footprint through increased foreign investment and local manufacturing. A core aspect of the plan is promoting nearshoring—relocating production closer to the U.S.—by offering tax breaks to companies that establish operations in Mexico.
“A federal decree issued on January 21 has already granted tax benefits to encourage nearshoring,” Camarena said. “This initiative isn’t just a concept—it’s already in effect, providing incentives for companies to reconfigure their supply chains and strengthen the manufacturing sector.”
By leveraging nearshoring and strategic investments, Mexico aims to enhance its role as a key manufacturing hub while minimizing the impact of U.S. trade policies on its industries.
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