Mexico Buys American, And The U.S. Buys Chinese
By Alejandra Garza de Gutierrez
Mexico City, Mexico — My daughter had a really good week at school; to celebrate, I took her to California Pizza Kitchen. (It was either that or P.F. Chang’s but she felt like pizza). Then we stopped by Krispy Kreme to buy some doughnuts for a friend’s get-together. Since we were already out and about, I ran into Walmart to buy some Listerine mouthwash, Di Giorno’s pizza, Whole Grain Cheerios, Diet Dr. Pepper, Haagen Daaz ice cream and Jelly Belly jellybeans. On our way home, we drove by Blockbuster Video, McDonald’s, a Chevrolet dealership, Carl’s Jr. , Home Depot, Burger King, Subway, Costco, 7-11, Office Max, Office Depot, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nobu, a few Clear Channel billboards and Chili’s.
Not a big deal but for the fact that I live in Mexico City. You know, the land of tequila, mariachi and sarapes also loves Coors Light, Lady Gaga and Gap sweaters.
Mexicans love American stuff. For the last few years, more American products, services and brands have discovered this loyal and growing customer base south of the border. It means that chilangos ( or “capitalinos” for those who find the word offensive) no longer have to hop a plane to Houston to land some American goods. For this homesick Texan, it means I can find some of the comforts of home here.
Since we moved here last fall, The Jonas Brothers, Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, Chicago and Miley Cyrus have played here in concert. On television, in addition to the Mexican telenovelas, you’ll find “Law and Order,” “SpongeBob Squarepants” and “Glee” (albeit dubbed into Spanish) on local channels — not on cable.
Drive down Insurgentes, one of the city’s main streets, and you’ll see many American brands making themselves at home next to venerable Mexican landmarks. It can be a little disconcerting to some Mexicans. But, as an American, I see more jobs and profits for folks back home.
According to the most recent figures from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Mexico is the second largest export market for the U.S., second only to Canada. In 2009, the U.S. exported $129 billion worth of goods to Mexico. The same data shows Mexico is the third largest importer of goods into the U.S.
Now let’s compare that relationship with China, shall we?
China was the third largest market for U.S. goods right after Mexico. The U.S. sent $69 billion worth of goods to China in 2009. On the other hand, as any one who makes a habit of reading product labels can tell you, China is the largest supplier of imported goods to the United States.
That’s a lot of information, so let’s review:
| Mexico | China |
|---|---|
| Population: 113 million | Population: 1.3 billion |
| Bought $129 billion in U.S. goods | Bought $69 billion in U.S. goods. |
| Ranks third in imports to U.S. | Ranks first in imports to U.S. |
Anyone else see a glaring disparity here?
Mexico has a tenth of the population of China and spends almost twice as much on U.S. goods. Like I said, they love American stuff down here.
And there are more brands and stores making their way south of the border every month. Some of them are mundane (an IHOP just opened in Las Lomas. I want to go just to hear the waiter translate “Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity” into Spanish.) Some of them are spectacular. (Sephora!) And all of them remind me of home.
But we have to remember, Mexico is also vibrant land full of great cuisine, culture and folkloric traditions. So I make a point of visiting and spending money at local landmarks as often as possible. But it’s nice to know that after a visit to Teotihuacán and a great roadside taco stand along the way, I have an ice cold Diet Dr. Pepper waiting for me in the fridge at home.
Alejandra Garza de Gutierrez is an American journalist and political activist living in Mexico City, Mexico, with her husband and daughter.
[Photo By kretyen]