The Mexican Foreign Minister sits at the BRICS table… but in spectator mode
Ah, the BRICS, that exclusive club of countries that sounds like the name of a hipster cryptocurrency, but is actually the acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. And guess what: Mexico is not invited to the VIP. But, like that friend who sneaks into the party just to eat snacks, Chancellor Juan Ramón de la Fuente will attend as an observer. Yes, that type who looks but doesn’t touch, like when you see your ex’s stories.
President Claudia Sheinbaum, in her “we are not part of it, but we like gossip” style, confirmed that Mexico is not a member of this economic conglomerate, but that they will still send their chancellor to take a look. “We go as observers,” he said, as if it were a geopolitical reality show. And of course, Juan Ramón de la Fuente will be our representative in the front row, taking notes and making an interested face while thinking about dinner.
Brazil and India: the real objective is in business (and pharmaceuticals)
But it’s not all about looking and not touching. Sheinbaum made it clear that his thing is not just to observe, but to collaborate. With Brazil, for example, he wants Brazilian companies to come to Mexico not to compete, but to do what millennials like so much: complement each other. That is, “you cook, I’ll take care of the house” but in a macroeconomic version. He even mentioned a meeting in August between secretaries from both countries to see how to do business without stepping on each other’s heels. Will it be the beginning of a TLC 2.0 but with more caipirinhas and tacos?
And then there is India, the pharmaceutical giant that has Mexico seeing it with the eyes of a needy entrepreneur. Sheinbaum talked about investments in medicines and critical materials, because who doesn’t want Indian pharmaceutical companies to set up their factories here? Overall, after the pandemic, we all know that medications are the new gold. Of course, with the condition that the production is local, because #HechoEnMéxico sounds better on the country’s CV.
And if that were not enough, the European Union is also on the radar. Sheinbaum hopes that a delegation will arrive in September to sign the ratification of a trade agreement. But be careful, it’s not just because of the piece of paper, but because of how they can complement each other. Because in today’s world, you either join forces or you watch TikTok while others do business.
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