New Leadership at the IMPI
Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard announced on Monday, June 1, the appointment of Vidal Llerenas Morales as the new head of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI), succeeding Santiago Nieto. The incoming official, an economist who holds a degree from ITAM, a master’s from the University of Essex, and a PhD in Political Science from New York University, steps into the role after serving as Undersecretary of Industry and Commerce within the same ministry.
Llerenas’s background includes serving as Mayor of Azcapotzalco, Undersecretary of Expenditures for the former Federal District, and Director of Social Comptrollership at the Ministry of Public Administration. In the legislative arena, he served two terms as a federal deputy: the first in 2015 after joining Morena, and the second in September 2024, a position he held briefly before joining the Ministry of Economy’s team.
While presenting the appointment, Ebrard emphasized that the goal of Llerenas’s tenure will be to consolidate the IMPI’s strategic role in innovation and industrial property protection. Llerenas stated that his focus will prioritize creating innovation ecosystems that link companies, entrepreneurs, and universities, stressing that “providing guarantees for patents is fundamental to driving economic growth and investment.”
A Shifting Trade Landscape
This institutional change comes during a period of trade uncertainty. Ebrard acknowledged that the free trade model that dominated the last few decades has vanished, noting that the Donald Trump administration is pushing an economic vision contrary to the 'duty-free' system that characterized NAFTA and the USMCA. According to the Secretary, access to the U.S. market now depends on economic security considerations and where goods are manufactured, rather than mere cost efficiency.
Faced with this scenario, Mexico’s strategy has shifted from attempting to restore the previous model to securing market access conditions that outperform competitors such as China, Vietnam, Indonesia, South Korea, and Japan. Ebrard emphasized that, despite the new trade reality, Mexico and Canada retain the benefit of having 85 percent of their exports exempt from tariffs.
The USMCA Review Process
The USMCA review process faces a complex calendar following 14 months of uncertainty that have kept investment in the manufacturing sector low. After an initial round of talks held last week in Mexico City, the USTR has scheduled a second round in Washington, D.C. for June 16 and 17, followed by a third session in the Mexican capital during the week of July 20.
Although a meeting of the three countries' economy and trade ministers is set for July 1, analysts point out that it remains unclear whether a definitive agreement will be reached by that date. In the meantime, foreign direct investment is being constrained by caution in sectors such as the automotive industry, which, despite incurring operational expenses for the transition to electric vehicles, has paused new investment projects while awaiting clear definitions regarding the future of the treaty.
