The Center Thematic areas Team Advisory Board Events & Publications ES
An initiative byTecnológico de MonterreyBBVA

The bridge between analysis and the trade policy Mexico needs

Center for trade policy and global value chains for North America.

83%

of Mexican exports go to the United States and Canada

~30%

of global GDP is generated in North America

1st

Mexico is the leading trading partner of the United States, ahead of China and Canada

95.4%

of SMEs do not participate in global value chains

01

Who we are

Rigorous analysis, effective policy impact

CEPCAN was created out of the conviction that Mexico needs world-class analytical capabilities to navigate the deepest transformation of North American trade policy in decades.


It is a public policy research and advocacy center founded in February 2026 through an agreement between Tecnológico de Monterrey and BBVA México.

It operates with a team of specialists trained at world-leading academic institutions, with active ties to the public sector, Mexico's main business chambers and multilateral organizations such as the IDB, CAF, the World Bank and the IFC.

North American trade

Mission

To be Mexico's reference center for rigorous analysis and policy impact in trade policy and global value chains, combining interdisciplinary analytical work with high-quality public policy advice.


02

Thematic areas

Four fronts for a comprehensive agenda

01

Monitoring regional trade policy and its impact on trade, investment and employment

02

Strength­ening SMEs for integration into global value chains

03

Measuring and building state capacity to attract investment

04

Opportunities for Mexico in strategic product value chains (semiconduc­tors, AI, critical minerals, etc.)

03

Team

Leadership and team of the Center →

Researchers, analysts and coordination at CEPCAN, under the direction of Ernesto Stein.

Ernesto Stein, Director of CEPCAN
Ernesto Stein
Director of CEPCAN
Ph.D. in Economics, UC Berkeley
Distinguished Professor, Tec de Monterrey
“North American trade is being redefined. Mexico needs rigorous analysis and effective policy impact to rise to this historic moment. That is why CEPCAN exists.”

Executive Committee

Governance of the Center

The Center's highest strategic decision-making body, made up of representatives of Tec de Monterrey and BBVA México.

04

Advisory Board

High-level strategic vision

Nine members who bring strategic vision and practical relevance, and connect the Center with global networks. Honorary, ad honorem membership.

Ana Aguilar
Ana AguilarExecutive Director, Mexican Business Council
Pol Antràs
Pol AntràsRobert G. Ory Professor of Economics, Harvard University
Herminio Blanco
Herminio BlancoChairman of the Board, IQOM
Luis Godoy
Luis GodoyProgram Manager, Open Society Foundations
Luis Rosendo Gutiérrez
Luis Rosendo GutiérrezUndersecretary for Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economy, Government of Mexico
Ricardo Hausmann
Ricardo HausmannFounder and Director, Growth Lab · Professor, Harvard Kennedy School
Antonio Ortiz-Mena
Antonio Ortiz-MenaNonresident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council
Jorge Sicilia
Jorge SiciliaDirector, BBVA Research
Jaime Zabludovsky
Jaime ZabludovskyVice President and Founding Partner, IQOM
05

Events & Publications

Recent activity of the Center →