Mexico faces significant challenges from the current U.S. trade war and rising bilateral tensions, but these pressures also create a rare opportunity to address long‑standing issues of low wages, poverty, and sluggish growth. The upcoming USMCA review places Mexico’s wage stagnation at the center of negotiations, aligning the interests of both countries in raising labor incomes. Strengthening domestic demand—particularly through higher wages—would help reduce Mexico’s heavy dependence on U.S. exports and support the goals of Plan Mexico. This talk outlines practical policy steps to boost labor income, reinforce labor rights, and leverage the USMCA framework to support more inclusive and sustainable growth.

Speaker: Sandra Polaski is a Non resident Senior Fellow with the Global Economic Governance Initiative at the Boston University Global Development Policy Center.

Sponsor(s): Center for Mexican Studies, Latin American Institute