The Hungarian Institute of International Affairs (HIIA) 2024. november 13-án „Hol a helye Mexikónak a globális versengésben?” held a roundtable discussion entitled, featuring Iván Medveczky, Head of Department at the Ministry of European Union Affairs and former Hungarian Ambassador to Mexico; Attila Kovács, Mexico expert and former visiting lecturer at Tecnológico de Monterrey; and Zsolt Reile, Senior Research Fellow of HIIA. The discussion was moderated by Ramachandra Byrappa, Senior Research Fellow of HIIA.
At the beginning of the roundtable, all researchers highlighted Mexico’s contradictory nature. On the negative side—violence, corruption, infrastructural deficiencies, and a lack of accountability—Iván Medveczky traced these issues back to the country’s colonial past. This stands in contrast to Mexico’s natural and cultural wealth, the warmth of its people, and its significant economic potential.
The discussion on Mexico’s future touched on Trump’s election and the question of China’s influence. According to Zsolt Reile, while tensions between Mexico City and Washington could arise due to China, he emphasized that economically, Mexico has firmly aligned itself with the United States. This was corroborated by the former Mexican ambassador, who noted that 90% of Mexico’s exports go to the U.S. Regarding immigration, Attila Kovács highlighted that Mexican-origin men living in the United States are becoming an increasingly stable voter base for Republicans. As a result, he argued that Trump’s bold statements on migration may not necessarily translate into reality.
Regarding foreign policy, Zsolt Reile emphasized Mexico’s position between the global North and South. This is shaped partly by internal factors—such as low social mobility and the coexistence of progressivism and conservatism—and partly by external factors, including the country’s geographical location. On this topic, Attila Kovács highlighted Mexico’s historical neutrality, noting that its balancing approach in foreign affairs remains evident to this day.
In conclusion, the discussion turned to Mexican-Hungarian relations. The experts highlighted Mexico’s poor country image, the challenges stemming from the size difference and geographical distance between the two nations, and the relatively high capital flow between them despite these obstacles.