How Mexico's new president could impact Texas
AUSTIN (Nexstar/AP) — Mexico’s projected presidential winner Claudia Sheinbaum will become the first female president in the country’s 200-year history.
Sheinbaum, the favored successor of outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, vowed to continue on the direction set by the populist leftist leader. But the cool-tempered scientist offers a sharp contrast in style — and a break with Mexico’s male-dominated political culture.
The leftist has said she believes the government has a strong role to play in addressing economic inequality and providing a sturdy social safety net, much like her political mentor.
The elections were widely seen as a referendum on López Obrador, a populist who has expanded social programs but largely failed to reduce cartel violence in Mexico. His Morena party currently holds 23 of the 32 governorships and a simple majority of seats in both houses of Congress.
Sheinbaum promised to continue all of López Obrador’s policies, including a universal pension for the elderly and a program that pays youths to apprentice.
Just as the upcoming November rematch between U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump has underscored deep divisions in the U.S., Sunday’s election revealed how severely polarized public opinion is in Mexico over the direction of the country, including its security strategy and how to grow the economy.
How could a new leader impact Texas?
Glenn Hamer — president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business — said the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico has been increasingly important amid issues of immigration and drug smuggling, but also due to the strong trade partnership between the two countries. Mexico is America's top trading partner, with Canada ranking as the second and China as the third.
"China is a national security and economic threat to the United States. So what that necessitates is the United States building a closer relationship with our friends north and south," Hamer said. "So there's a big move towards nearshoring going on right now. And with the passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement — which had the support of every single member of the Texas delegation — there's quite a bit of increased trade going on between the United States and Mexico, and Texas and Mexico."
He said trade between Texas and Mexico is up to about $285 billion, which has been increasing over the last several years.
"Dr. Shinebaum has has expressed on a number of occasions, her support for doing more in terms of nearshoring," Hamer said. "We're going to do everything we possibly can to see that number increase."
While mayor of Mexico City, Sheinbaum spearheaded big infrastructure and innovation projects like creating a city-wide free wifi program and building the largest solar park in a city.
"I believe that she's going to be pragmatic, if you take a look at her leadership in Mexico City. The numbers speak for themselves. I mean, crime was considerably reduced. She has a very rich background on technical issues," Hamer said.
She will start her six-year term Oct. 1. Mexico’s constitution does not allow reelection.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.