Convergences and Divergences: Mexico’s Response to the Global Rise of China, 2012-2018

Abstract

This article analyses the Mexican foreign policy actions made during the six years term of Enrique Peña Nieto (2012-2018) in the face of China’s growing power and global influence, while both countries were aiming to become global players. The emphasis lies on convergent areas of opportunity and divergent critical assumptions. The scope of bilateral agreements signed between Mexico and China will be analyzed based on the events, diplomatic speeches and academic research papers. This work demonstrates and concludes that most agreements did not prosper satisfactorily due to an internal context in Mexico mired by corruption scandals, social violence and institutional fragility as well as the long-era of U.S. hegemonic role in Latin America. These internal and external factors prevented China from negotiating the scheduled agenda they had envisioned toward Mexico.