In the last month, the Ten Across Conversations podcast has explored a variety of influences on modern U.S.-Mexico relations, including a lack of cooperation on immigration policy, climate change impacts on transboundary water-sharing and the outsized role Mexico plays in the recent revitalization of North American manufacturing. For the final episode of this limited series on the border, we’ll examine major political considerations as both nations prepare to transition presidential administrations and then to renegotiate the critical United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement in 2026.  

This conversation draws on the perspective of Tony Payan, executive director of Rice University’s Baker Institute Center for the U.S. and Mexico. The Center publishes an annual Mexico Country Outlook report that provides insights for business leaders, policymakers and the public with regard to the state of affairs within the country and how these trends may impact its relationship with the U.S.  

Their 2024 Outlook, published in January, anticipated many challenges within Mexico’s democracy, infrastructure and energy security, but also significant economic opportunity as the U.S. evolves its own industrial policy in support of nearshoring its supply chain.  

Ten Across founder Duke Reiter discusses these implications with Tony Payan, paying particular attention to policy changes anticipated with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's recent election and the implications for the current U.S. presidential candidates’ respective platforms.  

Relevant links and resources:  
The Baker Institute’s Mexico Country Outlook 2024  

Border Series Episode 1: “Why U.S. Immigration Reform is Critical to Our Future with Dr. David Shirk”  

Border Series Episode 2: “Climate-Induced Drought Tests U.S.-Mexico Water-Sharing”  

Border Series Episode 3: “Perspectives From a Binational Trade and Economic Development Hub”