por 
ALFREDO AZCARATE VARELA
THE BAJA POST/EDITOR
The highly efficient industrial processes that have distinguished the maquiladora sector in Mexicali and Baja California in general depend largely on what is known as «nearshoring,» which is the logistical optimization of distribution chains. However, these processes have recently fallen short in terms of integration, making it necessary to rethink this aspect, according to Xavier Rivas, an industrial investment promoter in Mexicali for about half a century.
Rivas Martínez explained that President Donald Trump’s model cannot be applied to everything, including the lack of investment in nearshoring, and this seems to be a widespread concern among Baja Californians
Some define «nearshoring» as the relocation of processes to make them more efficient through the proximity of suppliers at all stages of the process. However, it has faced problems because there hasn’t been enough support for the generation or manufacture of local inputs for these industrial processes, Rivas pointed out.
He added that the blame for this trend does not lie with Donald Trump or his tariffs, Rivas asserted, recommending that these border quotas (tariffs) be seen as a new opportunity and not as a problem or obstacle for these manufacturing chains that are so important for generating jobs and foreign exchange.
Xavier Rivas Martínez, a well-known investment promoter and pioneer of the maquiladora industry in Mexicali, stated that the relocation of companies (or nearshoring) was widely promoted, and significant investments were expected in Mexico due to its proximity to the United States. However, these investments have not materialized at the anticipated pace.
“Today, in 2026, we are still attractive, primarily due to two factors: one is our workforce, which is efficient and responsible, but we pay them poorly; and the other is our geopolitical location in Baja California, advantages that have not been fully capitalized on.”
“We used Trump against water, against security, against industrialization, really, if you do an analysis maquiladora by maquiladora, they are still mostly maquiladoras.
