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City reports PhoenixHermosillo trade office activity; staff highlight nearshoring opportunity
Summary
Economic development staff reported results from the Phoenix-Hermosillo trade office, citing Mexico as Arizona—s top trading partner (~$20.6 billion referenced), recent company assistance counts and a strategy to support nearshoring and soft-landing services for Mexican firms.
Phoenix economic development staff updated the subcommittee Oct. 14 on activities and outcomes from the Phoenix-Hermosillo trade office, which operates under a five-year contract to provide business-development services in Mexico.
Economic development program manager Juan Batres reported that Mexico remains Arizona—s largest trading partner (the presentation cited about $20.6 billion in trade) and described top export categories (copper ore and concentrates, minerals, electronics and aircraft components). Batres said the trade office helped a range of companies: examples cited included 62 companies assisted in fiscal year 202021 and about 294 assisted in fiscal year 202223; in the most recent fiscal year (reported as FY2425) staff said they assisted roughly 290 companies, with 2 companies incorporating in Arizona and 2 companies establishing operations in Phoenix in that period.
Batres described outreach and in-market activities, including trade missions, delegations and memoranda of understanding with Mexican states and cities. He listed structural risks that could affect trade gains, including economic uncertainty, U.S. visa limitations for employers and a pending review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in 2026. Staff framed nearshoring as an opportunity: Batres said a second wave of nearshoring could strengthen Phoenix—s transborder supply chains and cited work to map Mexico supply chains using semiconductors as a test case.
Councilmembers asked for additional impact metrics. Chair O—Brien asked staff to provide the financial impact and metrics on companies incorporated or locating in Phoenix over the years; staff agreed to provide follow-up materials.
Staff said the trade office will continue collaborating with partners including Greater Phoenix Economic Council, the Arizona Commerce Authority and Arizona State University to support business retention, expansion and soft-landing services for Mexican companies exploring Phoenix.
