Mexico has consolidated a strategic position as a key provider of computer equipment for data centers driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI), a phenomenon that is displacing the automotive sector as the main banner of the country's exports.
A historic milestone: Servers surpass the automotive industry
According to an analysis by S&P Global, during the first half of 2026, exports of computer equipment reached $82.9 billion, representing explosive growth of 172.1% year-on-year. For the first time, this figure surpasses shipments of automobiles and auto parts, which totaled $74.8 billion in the same period. The United States is the recipient of almost the entire flow, absorbing 93.9% of shipments, which opens a high-tech trade front for Mexico.
The connection with Taiwan: A global supply chain
This export boom is closely linked to a deep integration with Taiwan's technology industry, which has become Mexico's third largest supplier, just behind the United States and China. Imports of servers from Taiwan increased 310.3% year-on-year to June 2026, highlighting the formation of a robust supply chain for electronic manufacturing related to AI.
Tariff immunity and relocation
Unlike other sectors, information and communication technology products have been exempted from the 50% tariffs applied to countries without free trade agreements, giving Mexico a "breather" in the face of tariff volatility and global uncertainty. This environment directly favors the relocation (nearshoring) of companies seeking to take advantage of the massive demand for data center infrastructure.
From the perspective of next+ based on the news from EL Economista, we are witnessing a mutation of the Mexican economic model: from a traditional manufacturing power to a critical hub of digital infrastructure. What we observe is that AI is not only transforming software but is also reconfiguring Mexico's industrial geography. For executives, the challenge now lies in addressing the challenges of safety and connectivity so that this technological "boom" is sustainable in the long term and consolidates the country as the technological workshop of North America.