German-Mexican relations encompass a very wide range of political, economic, cultural and social topics. Traditionally, Mexico is one of Germany’s close partners in multilateral fora. The country is currently a member of the United Nations Security Council and Human Rights Council.
Mexico is Germany’s most important trading partner in Latin America, while Germany is Mexico’s largest trading partner in the European Union. In 2021, bilateral trade amounted to just over 20 billion euro (2019: 19 billion euro). German-Mexican trade ranks third behind Mexico’s trade with the United States and China. Automobile manufacturing and components, as well as the chemical, pharmaceutical and electronics industries, are the main sectors in bilateral trade relations.
More than 2000 companies with German holdings are registered with the Mexican Secretariat of Economy. Around a third of these firms have their own production plants in the country. German companies create about hundred thousand direct jobs in Mexico. The German model of dual vocational training is of great interest to Mexican firms. Germany is helping Mexico set up its own system in this field. Mexico is an important partner for Germany when it comes to protecting global public goods. Germany and Mexico are thus using Federal Government funding to protect the climate, biodiversity and the environment. The German Mittelstand BVMW Association for Small and Medium-sized Businesses with the support of its BVMW Mexico Office together with the Ministry of Economy of Mexico will roll-out a series of opportunity round tables for entrepreneurs of both countries to strengthen SME collaborations.
Mexico is a priority country for German cultural relations and education policy and all of Germany’s major cultural organisations are active there. The Goethe-Institut plays a prominent role in cultural cooperation.
There are five German international schools in Mexico, which are attended by some 7000 students. Furthermore, seven other schools across the country are partners of the Goethe-Institut for the Schools: Partners for the Future initiative. There is great demand for German as a foreign language, with some 86,000 people currently learning German in Mexico.
Since 2001, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has had a branch office in Mexico City, one of 18 worldwide. Around 3000 Mexicans are pursuing courses of study in Germany. In total, there are more than 460 cooperation agreements between German and Mexican universities.
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