Mexico has announced that it will not be joining the BRICS bloc of countries, according to President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. He made this announcement during his daily morning press conference on Tuesday. Obrador emphasized that his administration’s focus will be on strengthening economic ties with the United States and other neighboring countries.
In response to media reports that Mexico had applied to join the five-nation economic group comprising of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, Obrador stated that Mexico will not be participating in this association. He explained that the decision is based on factors such as proximity and geopolitics, and Mexico will instead concentrate on enhancing the alliance with North America and the entire Americas.
Obrador’s decision aligns with his administration’s priority of developing ties under the 2020 US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The United States and Canada are Mexico’s largest trading partners, with approximately 85% of Mexican exports going to these two North American countries. Recent data shows that US imports from Mexico have increased by about $10 billion year-on-year in 2023. Obrador plans to further boost cooperation with the US and Canada.
The upcoming BRICS summit, which will be held in Johannesburg later this month, has received membership applications from more than 20 nations, including Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Morocco, Nigeria, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. South African International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor confirmed that the summit will host 34 countries.
While Obrador acknowledged the importance of integrating the entire Americas in the medium and long-term, he stated that Mexico will change old policies that have not worked. He also emphasized the need to persuade the political class, particularly in the United States, about the significance of Latin America.
The decision by Mexico to focus on strengthening ties with the United States and neighboring countries reflects Obrador’s commitment to prioritizing economic relations in the region. By concentrating on the USMCA and enhancing the alliance with North America, Mexico aims to consolidate as a region. Obrador’s decision not to pursue membership in the BRICS bloc aligns with his administration’s strategic priorities and objectives.
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