A significant Mexican trade delegation to Canada was launched on Thursday, with over 200 Mexican companies seeking to enhance commercial ties during a two-day event in Toronto and Montreal. The visit, focused on discussions around the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), marks one of Mexico’s largest trade missions to Canada.
During the opening speech, Canada’s Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc highlighted the strong economic bond and shared values between Canada and Mexico, expressing optimism about enhancing North America’s competitiveness. Mexican Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard emphasized the need for long-term collaboration between the two countries amidst evolving global dynamics.
More than 240 Mexican businesses are participating in the delegation, with over 1,000 business-to-business meetings already scheduled, as reported by Mexico’s Secretariat of Economy. The trade mission comes as both countries aim to diversify their trade relationships, reducing reliance on the U.S. market due to tariff uncertainties and global economic challenges.
Fernando Vargas, CEO of Bloom White Label Partners, highlighted the opportunities for collaboration between Mexico and Canada, citing shared time zones and a joint hosting of the World Cup as factors for increased cooperation.
LeBlanc and Ebrard discussed economic challenges during a dinner meeting and are set to explore CUSMA review matters but not as part of formal negotiations. Ebrard plans to engage with key Canadian companies like Air Canada, Bombardier, CN Rail, and TC Energy, as well as facilitate interactions between Mexican businesses and Canadian investment funds.
The trade visit builds on the momentum from previous Canadian trade missions to Mexico, resulting in new business deals. Bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Mexico reached $62 billion in 2025, with Canada being a significant market for Mexican exports. The trade relationship between the two countries has grown substantially since the implementation of NAFTA in 1995.
Luis Arzani, chief commercial officer for Grupo Xpress Internacional, expressed optimism about establishing direct trade relationships with Canadian partners to streamline logistics operations without U.S. intermediaries. Armando Ortega, president of the Mexico-Canada bilateral committee, stressed the importance of Mexican capital entering the Canadian market to capitalize on economic opportunities and strengthen trade ties.
As discussions continue around the CUSMA review, stakeholders from both countries are aiming to ensure a balanced and mutually beneficial outcome without unilateral impositions. The trade mission signifies a step towards deeper economic collaboration between Mexico and Canada, aiming to unlock untapped trade potential between the two nations.
