Mexico to join BRICS amid US tensions

June 11, 2023 CEN_com BRI, BRICS, & Global South~, Geopolitics & Multipolarity~ 0

Mexico has expressed interest in joining the five-member BRICS group of emerging economies, amid tensions with its northern neighbor – the United States.

Some social media have claimed that Mexico has made the groundbreaking decision to apply to join the BRICS nations, but this has not been officially confirmed.

In April 2023 the Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said the country shares the vision and values of the BRICS group. He expressed hope that Mexico would deepen its cooperation with the BRICS group in various fields, especially in medicine and trade.

Mexico has not signed a MoU with China concerning the Belt & Road. China and Mexico have however signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). Bilateral Investment Treaties are agreements that codify the mechanisms for investing into each others countries and protect the rights of each others nationals in doing so.

Mexico, with a population of 120 million is the second-largest economy in Latin America next to Brazil, and has a strong and growing trade relationship with China. China is Mexico’s second-largest trading partner after the United States. China’s exports to Mexico rose by 28% between January 2022 and August 2022. China has invested in manufacturing in the north of Mexico, as well as in major projects that promote cleaner energy.

Mexico has participated in several BRICS summits as an observer and guest. However, in a surprising turn of events, Mexico is said to have made the groundbreaking decision to join the BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This decision, reportedly announced at the BRICS Summit 2023, has sparked a wave of discussions and speculations about its implications for Mexico’s national security, economic prospects, and its relationship with the United States.

Mexico’s potential admission to the BRICS alliance holds significant implications for the country’s national security. Joining BRICS could potentially provide Mexico with greater leverage in dealing with domestic security challenges. The alliance’s members have vast experience in combating various forms of threats, including terrorism and cyber warfare. Collaborating with these nations would enable Mexico to tap into their expertise and exchange valuable intelligence, thereby strengthening its security apparatus.

Moreover, Mexico’s entry into BRICS also raises questions about the future of the alliance itself. Mexico’s inclusion would further demonstrate the growing global influence of BRICS. Additionally, the possibility of Mexico adopting the BRICS currency for trade within the group would further diversification of the international monetary system.

The decision to join BRICS, if true, comes at a time when tensions between Mexico and the United States have been escalating. The Mexican Daily Post suggests Mexico’s interest in BRICS is partly driven by growing strains in its relationship with the United States. Joining BRICS could potentially provide Mexico with an alternative economic and political platform, reducing its dependence on the US and offering new avenues for trade and cooperation with other member nations.

Mexico’s economy is already positioned as a significant player beyond the BRICS nations, and joining BRICS would further enhance its economic prospects and offer access to a larger market. Its large population, strategic geographical location, and abundant natural resources make it an attractive partner for the BRICS alliance. China, being a prominent member of BRICS, holds significant influence within the alliance. While Mexico is not formally part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China’s increasing investment in Mexico present opportunities for economic cooperation and infrastructure development.

The potential accession of Mexico to BRICS has drawn the attention of other countries as well. Several other nations have expressed interest in joining BRICS, seeing it as a viable alternative to traditional global financial powers. Mexico’s decision to join could potentially pave the way for other Latin American nations to follow suit, further strengthening the alliance’s influence on the world stage.

Of course, the implications of Mexico joining BRICS are not confined to economic and security matters. Such a decision holds geopolitical significance, as it challenges the existing global hegemonic order dominated by Western powers.

Mexico’s inclusion in BRICS would further add to the diversity and representation within the group, reinforcing the notion of a more inclusive and multipolar international system. Mexico’s potential entry into BRICS also raises questions about the future of its relationship with the United States, coming at a time when US-Mexico relations have experienced increasing strain due to various factors, including trade disputes and immigration policies.

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