Exports from Mexico’s border states
Five northern border states dominated the top positions in Mexico‘s product exports the third quarter of 2023.
How did these results turn out? Coahuila led the ranking, with US$17.243 billion.
It was followed by Chihuahua (16,306 million dollars), Baja California (14,271 million), Nuevo León (14,224 million) and Tamaulipas (8,301 million).
Coahuila’s economy has traditionally been diversified, encompassing sectors such as mining, manufacturing, agriculture and livestock.
Among the main companies with operations in Coahuila are Altos Hornos de México (AHMSA), Grupo Lala, Industrias Peñoles, Grupo Industrial Saltillo (GIS), FCA México (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles), Pyosa (Productora y Comercializadora de Alimentos), Mabe, and Grupo Acerero del Norte (GAN).
Border States
In Mexico, the Constitution stipulates the powers of the federal government and the states. The latter exercise all those powers that have not been «expressly granted» to the federal State.
For example, the federal State has the «privative power» to tax imports, exports and the transit of goods, as well as to regulate (even prohibit) the circulation of goods within the national territory.
At the same time, the World Trade Organization (WTO) points out that the Constitution prohibits federal entities from carrying out certain activities; for example, they cannot sign international treaties, mint currency, contract obligations abroad or in foreign currency, or tax the transit, entry or exit of goods from their territory.
International trade
However, if authorized by the Congress of the Union, the federative entities may impose taxes or duties related to foreign trade.
The federative entities are empowered to issue laws on matters that are the responsibility of the federal State if such matters are not already the subject of a federal law or decree, and it is necessary to regulate them. In this respect, the subfederal law would be repealed as soon as a federal law or decree enters into force.
In some cases, both the federal government and the federative entities regulate the same subject matter (e.g., health) or different aspects of the same subject matter (e.g., roads).
In the first 11 months of 2023, Mexico exported goods for a customs value of 543,762 million dollars, an amount 2.9% higher than the corresponding amount for the same period in 2022.
The northern border states are of great strategic importance due to the intense trade and commerce that takes place along the U.S.-Mexico border.
