Mexico and France agreed on Friday, November 7, to promote their economic partnership and cultural cooperation, during a visit by President Emmanuel Macron to the Latin American country. The Government of Claudia Sheinbaum seeks to strengthen trade relations with Europe while suffering the tariffs imposed by Donald Trump.

First modification: 08/11/2025 - 00:50Last modification: 08/11/2025 - 00:54

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"Today we begin a new chapter in our strategic alliance, one that requires—and that we want to be—even more global," Macron declared at a press conference, announcing that both Governments - France and Mexico - had committed to promoting economic cooperation. In this sense, he assured that the 700 French companies operating in the country will continue to invest and create jobs, especially in the aerospace sector.

It is the first time in eleven years that a French president visits the Latin American country.

This occurs after months of attempts by Mexico to approach the European Union in the face of trade tensions with the United States, the main market for its products.

In a joint press conference with Sheinbaum, Macron stressed this Friday that Mexico is "a friend and a strategic partner." The president opted to "reinforce" economic, political and cultural ties by ensuring that both countries share "common values" such as the defense of multilateralism, the fight against climate change or feminist politics.

"It is a friendly country and a strategic partner of France," said Macron alongside Sheinbaum from the National Palace.

Mexico and France have strengthened their commercial ties in the last two decades after the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and Mexico, which came into force in 2000. And, currently, France is the sixth largest European investor in Mexico.

On the subject, Sheinbaum affirmed that the renewal, in 2026, of the trade agreement with the European Union—which will coincide with the bicentennial of diplomatic relations between Mexico and France—will provide many opportunities for economic cooperation between the two nations.

Codex exchange: symbol of Mexico's relationship with Europe

The leaders agreed to the temporary exhibition of the Azcatitlán and Boturini codices in their respective countries, a gesture that became a symbol of the new stage of the relationship between Mexico and France.

The Borbonic Codex and the Azcatitlán, two manuscripts preserved since the 19th century in institutions in France, focused Mexico's attention on this visit by Macron, since he considers them important to learn about the history and culture of the Mexica civilization.

From the National Palace, President Claudia Sheinbaum stressed that the exchange of these pre-Hispanic manuscripts has a historical and moral significance that transcends usual cultural cooperation and embodies the depth of a relationship that, she said, dialogues from equality.

"The acceptance of reciprocal and simultaneous temporary transfers so that the Azcatitlán codex is exhibited in Mexico and that the Boturini codex is exhibited in France. These codices are fundamental in the relationship between Europe and Mexico," said the president.

Macron arrived in the Mexican capital on Thursday night after participating in the United Nations climate change conference COP30 in Brazil. The French head of state wants to "strengthen political and strategic ties" with Sheinbaum, his cabinet stated.

The president, in power since October 2024, is recognized internationally for her skillful handling of relations with the unpredictable Donald Trump.

"The visit also aims to deepen our economic ties with Mexico," added an advisor to Macron, who is traveling accompanied by a delegation of French businessmen.

"It will be the occasion to announce an acceleration of our cooperation in all areas: economic, academic, scientific, cultural, but also in matters of the environment, health and security," previously declared the head of French diplomacy Jean-Noël Barrot.

The last visit to Mexico by a French president, the socialist François Hollande, was in 2014.

Macron was received by Sheinbaum at the National Palace, where both leaders met alone before integrating leaders of French and Mexican companies into the meeting.

Mexico is the first Latin American country to invest in France, while the European nation ranks 11th among foreign investors in Mexican lands.

A cultural pact

Beyond the economic aspect, Sheinbaum had already made it clear that for Mexico the priority of this visit is the request for the return of several Mesoamerican codices, handwritten works of the native peoples that illustrate the life and beliefs of the Mexica civilization. The documents have been in France's possession for decades.

Macron's visit "is of great interest to us because of some codices (...) that we want to reach Mexico, that is our main interest," the president said last week.

"Obviously, he comes with businessmen, and to also have a meeting with Mexican businessmen. But our greatest interest is the repatriation of these codices that are very important for Mexico," he added.

The Sheinbaum Government has had its sights set in particular on two manuscripts: the "Borbonic Codex", preserved in the National Assembly - the lower house of the French Parliament - and the "Azcatitlán Codex", which belongs to the funds of the National Library of France.

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The latter "is essential to know the development of what Mexico-Tenochtitlan was from its foundation until the beginning of the 17th century," explained Mexican presidential advisor José Alfonso Suárez del Real.

"There we are going to find out who were the Mexica rulers who remained after the conquest as owners of the four neighborhoods" of the great city that would later become the current Mexico City, he stated.

Also for France "it is an important issue on which we have a very open dialogue with the Mexicans," said the Presidency of that country, highlighting that "a Franco-Mexican working group was created in September that brings together our best experts on these issues."

With AFP and EFE

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