Wilson Center
Mexico Institute
The Mexico Institute seeks to improve understanding, communication, and cooperation between Mexico and the United States by promoting original research, encouraging public discussion, and proposing policy options for enhancing the bilateral relationship. A binational Advisory Board, chaired by Luis Téllez and Earl Anthony Wayne, oversees the work of the Mexico Institute.
Connect With Us
Video| AMLO, Trump, and the Bilateral Relationship
In light of this week's meeting between President Lopez Obrador and President Trump, the Wilson Center's Mexico Institute hosted a dialogue with experts on the state of U.S.-Mexico relations.
WEBCAST | Will Mexico's Regulatory Level Playing Field Survive? A Conversation with Experts
The second presentation in the Institute of the Americas/Mexico Institute "Clean Energy in Mexico" webinar series will feature a discussion with former regulators on regulatory developments and the implications for the Mexican power market and its medium and long-term outlook.
New Publication | Convocation: A Vision for a Stronger U.S.-Mexico Partnership
In January 2020, the U.S.-Mexico Foundation and the Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute brought together 6 former U.S. ambassadors to Mexico and 6 former Mexican ambassadors to the United States to discuss the bilateral relationship. Out of this Convocation, we produced a report, which outlines specific recommendations in each of the three traditional pillars of U.S.-Mexico relations: trade and competitiveness; security and the rule of law; and migration.
Read the publication
Americas 360 Episode 4 | Just When You Thought It Had Hit Bottom: Venezuela Sinks Deeper Into Authoritarianism
Introducing the Wilson Center’s newest podcast, Americas 360, bringing you the latest developments from the Americas. In this episode: As President Trump mused publicly about a meeting with Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro, our experts and a special guest, Latin American Program Global Fellow Michael Penfold, discuss the vanishing prospects for fair elections in Venezuela, the wisdom of direct engagement with the regime, and the influence of electoral politics on U.S. policy toward Venezuela.
Listen to the Podcast
Recent Insights & Analysis
Our Key Issue Areas
Economic Competitiveness
The area of economic competitiveness has acquired extra importance given the ongoing USMCA ratification process and review of regional economic relations. The Mexico Institute is undertaking research and developing policy ideas for the next stage of U.S.-Mexico economic relations, covering issues ranging from the implementation of the USMCA to innovation and educational exchange.
Migration & Migrants
Mexico Institute work on migration covers key topics, including migration from Central America, farm labor and migrant workers' rights, border security, and opportunities for bilateral cooperation on migration.
Energy and Natural Resources
The Mexico Institute continues its work on cooperation in renewable energy between Mexico and the United States. The Institute also follows energy policies and cooperation on natural resource management between the two countries.
Security & Rule of Law
The Mexico Institute continues to focus on the challenges facing Mexico in the areas of the rule of law and U.S.-Mexico security cooperation, and will continue to produce policy-relevant research in this area.
Border Issues
Rhetoric and reality on the U.S.-Mexico border are often misaligned. In an effort to promote a more realistic and holistic approach to the border, the Mexico Institute focuses on issues of economic development and competitiveness; border security and citizen security; environmental sustainability; and quality of life in the border region.
Our Experts
Duncan Wood
Director, Mexico Institute
Read more from DuncanThere is no other bilateral relationship in the world that touches the lives of Americans on a day-to-day basis more than that of the U.S. & Mexico.
Christopher Wilson
Deputy Director, Mexico Institute
Read more from ChristopherWith an integrated manufacturing platform comprised of cross-border supply chains, the United States and Mexico not only trade goods but actually build them together.
Earl Anthony Wayne
Public Policy Fellow
Read more from Earl AnthonyU.S.-Mexico relations are deeply intertwined. Key issues of mutual importance are both international and domestic. These “inter-mestic” issues impact the lives of tens of millions of people on both sides of the border. Americans and Mexicans thus have big stakes in assuring that The United States and Mexico working can tackle shared problems and find good solutions to the vital issues that tie them together, including trade, jobs, crime, border, security, migration, tourism, education exchanges, a shared environment and much more.
Eric L. Olson
Global Fellow
NAFTA/USMCA Resource Page
Welcome to the Wilson Center's NAFTA/USMCA Resource Page. The Mexico Institute and the Canada Institute will provide up-to-date coverage as the USMCA ratification process progresses. We invite you to check back frequently for updates to this resource.
North American Workforce Development Initiative
This initiative seeks to establish a forward-looking dialogue among the three North American countries on the issue of workforce development.
Recent Publications
The Mexico Institute regularly releases new publications. Please check back regularly for the most up-to date publications available.
Farm Labor and Mexico's Export Produce Industry
This ongoing study analyzes production and employment systems in selected commodities that are exported from Mexico to the United States.
Explore Our Focus Areas
RT @TheWilsonCenter: The second presentation in the @IOA_Energy/@MexicoInstitute's series "Clean Energy in Mexico" will feature a discussio…
Wilson Center
See our newest content first.
Subscribe for updates about new events, articles, videos, and more.
Help support the Mexico Institute's work
Donate Now