Bilateral relations between Germany and Mexico are characterised by lively political contacts, intensive business relations, academic exchange, as well as cultural, social and family ties. Today, Germany is home to the world’s fourth-largest Mexican community abroad. Federal President Steinmeier’s state visit in September 2022 was a visible and important expression of mutual interest. Mexico has long been a close partner of Germany in multilateral forums and is currently a member of the United Nations 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 over 20 billion euro (2020: 19 billion euro). German exports to Mexico totalled 13.2 billion euro, with Mexican exports to Germany valued at 7.7 billion euro. Automobile manufacturing and components, mechanical engineering, logistics, as well as the chemical, pharmaceutical and electronics industries, are the main sectors in bilateral trade relations.

Almost 2100 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 some 300,000 direct jobs in Mexico. Mexico is an important partner for Germany as it works to protect the climate, biodiversity and the environment. Mexico is a priority country for Germany’s cultural relations and education policy. The Goethe-Institut plays a prominent role in cultural cooperation.

There are five German international schools in Mexico with some 7000 students. Furthermore, 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 470 cooperation agreements between German and Mexican universities.