Talking Trade with Rocío Rivera Barradas, of the General Consulate of Mexico in Chicago

The latest episode of “Talking Trade” features Rocío Rivera Barradas, consul of economic affairs at the General Consulate of Mexico in Chicago. 

Barradas highlights difficulties with trading with China and other Asian nations due in part to COVID-19 factors. She notes the auto industry has been struggling amid the pandemic, contrasting that with the success of the medical industry and strong Mexican beer sales in Illinois. 

Also due to the pandemic and challenges related to trading with China, Barradas says U.S. companies “are looking again to Mexico” to relocate some of their operations. 

“Here at the consulate, we receive many questions and requests about finding suppliers in Mexico. Also finding companies that can’t manufacture products that they used to buy from China — now they want to buy it from Mexico,” she said.