The Claudio X. González Center for the U.S. and Mexico at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy convened its second annual U.S. Policy Outlook conference in Mexico City at a moment of heightened political and economic significance for the U.S.-Mexico relationship. Held in partnership with Consejo Mexicano de Asuntos Internacionales and México ¿Cómo Vamos?, the convening brought together more than 150 senior leaders from government, business and academia to assess rapidly evolving conditions shaping the bilateral and global agenda.
The conference delivered a timely, Washington-informed assessment of the U.S. political and economic landscape, featuring a distinguished delegation of academic and business leaders from both countries. Discussions focused on the implications of the 2026 midterm elections, impending U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement renegotiations, shifts in U.S. foreign policy, volatility in global energy markets, emerging multilateral frameworks and the growing strategic importance of the Texas-Mexico relationship.
“The U.S.-Mexico relationship is among the most consequential bilateral relationships for both countries, shaping economic growth, security and regional stability across North America,” said Tony Payan, director of the Claudio X. González Center for the U.S. and Mexico.
More than two dozen speakers included former U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady, the Council on Foreign Relations’ Shannon K. O’Neil, former Mexican Ambassador to the United States Arturo Sarukhan and Rice’s Joyce Beebe, John Diamond, David Gantz, Jim Krane, Steven W. Lewis, Payan, Leslie Schwindt-Bayer and Skip York as well as the University of Houston’s Brandon Rottinghaus.
“The political dynamics in the United States have direct and immediate implications for Mexico, particularly in critical areas such as USMCA negotiations, migration, energy markets and supply chain integration,” Payan said. “A clear and informed understanding of each country’s political and policy outlook is therefore essential. This convening is designed to deepen that understanding and strengthen dialogue, alignment and long-term cooperation across the bilateral relationship.”
The conference marked the second annual U.S. Policy Outlook, building on the strong foundation established in its inaugural year. The event is designed as the counterpart to the long-standing Mexico Country Outlook, which the Baker Institute has produced as both a report and convening for more than a decade with notable success. The institute also announced that the Mexico Country Outlook 2027 convening will be held in Houston Oct. 22; ticket and sponsor information is available at bakerinstitute.org/mco.
The U.S. Policy Outlook will continue as an annual convening, reinforcing its role as a premier platform for binational dialogue and strategic insight. Together, these flagship initiatives reflect the Baker Institute’s sustained commitment to advancing high-level engagement across the U.S.-Mexico relationship.
For more information about the Claudio X. González Center for U.S. and Mexico, the U.S. Policy Outlook and the Mexico Country Outlook and how to become a member of the center’s U.S.-Mexico Forum, please contact JP Gomez-Rodriquez at jg281@rice.edu.