Smart Border Coalition Insights Newsletter June 2025

June 2025

Binational Competitiveness in Focus:

A Conversation with AmCham's Pedro Casas Alatriste

Top Photo From Left: Aron Davidson (U.S. Commercial Service), Heidi Knuff, Wendy Gillespie (Center SDSU), Joaquin Luken (SBC), Pedro Casas (AmCham), Benjamin Suarez (AmCham), Kenia Zamarripa (SDRCC), and Natasha Bliss (SDSU).Bottom Photo on Right: Pedro Casas (AmCham), Eduardo Schutte (CBX), Joaquin Luken (SBC), Benjamin Suarez (AmCham).

Pedro Casas Alatriste, Vice President of the American Chamber of Commerce Mexico (AmCham), joined the Smart Border Coalition for a Border Side Chat hosted at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, followed by a keynote presentation in Tijuana at the Tijuana Trade Center.

Representing AmCham’s mission to advocate for U.S. companies operating in Mexico, Pedro shared insights on border efficiency, binational competitiveness, and investment opportunities tied to nearshoring and regional integration.

The Smart Border Coalition extends its sincere thanks to SDSU, the Wendy Gillespie Center for Advancing Global Policy, and our binational partners: the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, INDEX, Consejo de Desarrollo de Tijuana (CDT), and the Tijuana Economic Development Corporation (DEITAC) and Tijuana Trade Center for their collaboration and support in making this visit a success.

Highlights from Pedro Casas Alatriste’s Presentation:

Mexico is now the U.S.’ top trading partner, driven by nearshoring and a decline in U.S. imports from China.
80% of Mexico’s manufacturing exports to the U.S. come from U.S. companies operating in Mexico—demonstrating a high degree of binational economic integration.
U.S. imports from Mexico contain 13% U.S. domestic value added, compared to just 1.4% from China—highlighting a strong co-production model.
Mexico is the #1 buyer of U.S.-manufactured goods by small and medium enterprises (SMEs)—over $110 billion annually.
The demographic advantage of Mexico, with a younger workforce, complements U.S. labor shortages and aging trends.
Casas emphasized the importance of the upcoming 2026 USMCA review, which could shape North American economic integration for decades.

Binational Bridges and Borders Conference - Mexico City

Highlights from the 2025 plenary conference co-hosted by the U.S. Department of State and Mexico’s Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE):

27+ border infrastructure and improvement projects were reviewed by federal, state, and local leaders from both countries.
The session began with welcoming remarks from Roberto Velasco, Head of the North America Unit for the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE).
Held at the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), the event emphasized collaboration on mobility, security, and modernization across the U.S.-Mexico border.
From the CaliBaja region:
SANDAG and Caltrans presented progress on the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry, expected to be completed by late 2027.
ADMICARGA shared updates on the San Ysidro Rail Export Project, aimed at strengthening binational freight connectivity.

U.S. Consulate’s 4th of July Celebration – A Binational Gathering

The Smart Border Coalition was honored to take part in the U.S. Consulate General’s annual Independence Day celebration in Tijuana. The event brought together a distinguished mix of binational leaders committed to strengthening the U.S.-Mexico relationship.

Highlights included:

A high-level gathering of stakeholders from government, business, academia, and civil society from both sides of the border.
Fantastic food and beverage stations showcasing U.S. and Mexican culinary favorites.
A performance by the U.S. military rock band, energizing the crowd and adding a celebratory flair.

We extend our sincere thanks to Consul General Chris Teal and his team for the invitation and for continuing to foster binational collaboration and goodwill.

Port of Long Beach & U.S. Mexico Chamber of Commerce

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ron Johnson made his first official visit to the CaliBaja region, engaging with key stakeholders and touring major cross-border sites that define the U.S.-Mexico relationship.

Highlights from his visit included:

Visits to water treatment facilities on both sides of the border, underscoring the importance of binational environmental cooperation.
A field review of progress on the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry, one of the region’s most critical infrastructure projects.
Tours of local ports of entry, including the Cross Border Xpress (CBX), to observe operations and border efficiency efforts firsthand.
A binational stakeholder meeting held at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, where regional leaders discussed economic integration, infrastructure, and mobility.

This graph presents a comparison of border crossings in the CaliBaja region from January to June, between 2024 and 2025, across seven ports of entry. While a slight year-over-year decrease is observed in the first half of 2025, the change is modest—culminating in a 4.75% dip in June. On average, the region continues to see over 190,000 daily crossings, reflecting the enduring strength of cross-border movement.

These figures reaffirm the deep interconnection between our communities—through education, the workforce, healthcare, family ties, and other vital cross-border linkages that define life in CaliBaja.