Because nothing says “sustainability” like improvising in the face of a tariff bomb
Ah, Nuevo León, that industrial oasis where even the cacti have MBAs. The Secretary of Economy, Betsabé Rocha Nieto (a name that sounds like a character from a business soap opera), announced with great fanfare – well, more like PowerPoint and office coffee – that they will reinforce their Economic Development Strategy 2025. The reason? That the neighbor to the north threatens with 30% tariffs, because what better way to celebrate the T-MEC than by putting stones in the way.
Three approaches, six axes and zero originality in the names
In a display of creativity worthy of a human resources manual, the official broke down the “three approaches”: Investment (surprise!), MSMEs (the classic) and Talent (because of course, until now they had forgotten about that). But wait, there’s more! Six lines of action that promise to decentralize development, because there is nothing like removing industries from Monterrey to spread smog in a democratic way. Among the pearls:
- “Agreement to attract investment outside the metropolitan area”: That is, convince companies that the interior of the state exists. Revolutionary.
- “Economic activation of women”: Because in 2025 we continue to announce this as a novelty. What progress.
- “Non-fiscal incentives”: Translation: “We cannot lower taxes, but here you have a participation certificate.”
Rocha Nieto, in a burst of optimism worthy of a motivational coach, declared: “We are not standing idly by.”. Of course, because moving papers in an air-conditioned office is the same as rolling up your sleeves. Of course, he boasted that the “Made in Nuevo León” program already has 1,500 affiliated companies. How many are still operating? That information was curiously left out.
Selective globalization: 91 projects in 16 countries (but the north is still in charge)
The speech mixes an economic patriotism worthy of a 1940s movie with harsh reality: 91 foreign investment projects in 16 countries sound impressive… until you remember that 70% of the state’s GDP is still tied to NAFTA. “Market diversification” seems more like a toast to the sun than a strategy, especially when the main client (the US) plays tariff roulette.
The most ironic thing? All of this is aligned with the State Plan 2022-2027, that document that surely all citizens have printed under their pillow. Between regulatory innovation (read: less bureaucratic procedures for the same old ones) and social mobility (spoiler: it’s still easier in theory than in practice), the state government shows that it knows how to do two things excellently: present pretty slides and wait for investment to rain.
Will it work? Who knows. But in the meantime, Nuevo León continues to be that place where economic speeches shine brighter than results. Of course, with better WiFi.
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