Mexico Roundup: Redesign of judiciary, electric vehicles export, relationship with U.S and Canada

Redesign of judiciary

As President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s term draws to a close, he is pushing for substantial reforms in Mexico's judiciary, framing this as a necessary measure to combat corruption. Detractors argue that this initiative represents a significant power grab, risking judicial independence and the integrity of democracy. Transitioning from an appointment-based to a voter-elected system for judges that requires minimal qualifications, could potentially displace over 5,000 judges nationwide. This proposal has incited widespread strikes among judiciary personnel and elicited stern criticism from the U.S. ambassador, The NY Times report.

Judicial reform

The Constitutional Points Committee of Mexico's Chamber of Deputies has advocated for a judicial reform proposal that allows citizens to directly elect judges and Supreme Court justices. This reform has raised critical concerns regarding the independence of the judiciary, directly impacting diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Mexico. According to Mexico News Daily, as the ruling Morena party holds a two-thirds majority, the proposal is anticipated to pass when Congress reconvenes on September 1.

Electric vehicles export

Mexico is on track to become the largest exporter of electric vehicles (EVs) to the U.S. by 2024, following a staggering 172% increase in export revenue to $3.127 billion during the first half of the year. This growth positions Mexico as the second-largest exporter to the U.S., trailing only Germany. The overall U.S. import of EVs surged by 36.1%, totalling $11.95 billion. According to Mexico News Daily, the country's EV exports have experienced exponential growth, achieving an 18,047% increase since 2019. If the current trajectory persists, total export revenue may hit $6.254 billion by the end of 2024, indicating a nearly 30,000% rise from 2019.

Haitian Mexico Open Day

Haitian Mexico hosted an Open Day event in Guadalajara to showcase its latest injection moulding technologies, underscoring its commitment to the regional market. The event emphasised solutions centred on energy efficiency, intelligence, and sustainability, alongside products from different divisions, including CNC and die-casting machines, PR Newswire explained. As a regional management and manufacturing centre since 2022, Haitian Mexico seeks to enhance its delivery capabilities and response times for local clients in the Americas. The organisation is committed to tailoring its strategies to meet clients' unique needs and foster cooperative relationships, contributing to the industry’s growth in Mexico and its neighbouring regions.

Relationship with U.S and Canada on pause

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has placed the relationship between the Mexican government and U.S. and Canadian embassies “on pause” in response to U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar's public criticism of the judicial reform. Obrador denounced this opposition as a foreign intrusion into Mexico's sovereignty and expressed a desire for respectful diplomatic relations, Mexico News Daily reported. Nevertheless, critics warn that the proposed reforms could threaten judicial independence by introducing political motivations into the election of judges.