Marc Rowan’s push for a U.S.-Mexico economic superpower electrified the Milken Institute Global Conference—and Mexican leaders are on board.
At a Glance
- Apollo CEO Marc Rowan champions a U.S.-Mexico trade alliance
- Milken Institute audience cheers a vision of North American economic dominance
- Mexican executives cite demographic and geographic advantages
- Rowan urges U.S. to fix NAFTA region ties before negotiating globally
- Mexican manufacturing seen as key to supply chain realignment from China
A Vision for North American Dominance
Speaking at the Milken Institute Global Conference, Apollo CEO Marc Rowan laid out a bold call: for the U.S. and Mexico to become “the driving economic force in the world for the next 50 years.” His message landed with force, sparking applause from both U.S. and Mexican investors.
While acknowledging past trade agreements like NAFTA and the USMCA, Rowan argued they haven’t gone far enough. “We have not been able to get there despite two or three rounds of massive free trade agreements,” he said, calling instead for renewed focus on the North American bloc.
“Imagine coming to the world with Mexico and Canada resolved first,” Rowan continued, “and then taking people piece by piece, country by country.” The statement, reported by Bloomberg, captured a rising consensus that Mexico may be the U.S.’s most underutilized trade ally.
Watch a report on the remarks at Marc Rowan Pushes for Stronger US-Mexico Trade Partnership.
Mexico Sees Opportunity in the Shift from China
Mexican executives welcomed Rowan’s remarks as an overdue wake-up call. Emilio Cadena, CEO of manufacturing firm Prodensa, emphasized Mexico’s alignment with U.S. industry needs—from a strong pension system to a workforce younger than almost any developed nation.
As global supply chains pivot away from China, Cadena argued that Mexico is the logical replacement. Proximity, trade familiarity, and a maturing industrial base make it uniquely poised to absorb displaced production. “This is our moment to build a true North American manufacturing powerhouse,” he told attendees.
Guadalupe Rodriguez, another key voice from Mexico’s investment sector, called the U.S. “our natural partner” and pointed to the urgency of deepening ties amid shifting global power dynamics.
U.S. Tariff Policy Still in Play
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent addressed the elephant in the room: tariffs. While some Wall Street players remain uneasy about protectionist rhetoric, Bessent insisted that targeted tariffs can be used to build leverage in future trade deals. His comments suggested the Biden administration might not immediately reverse Trump-era levies.
Panelists debated how deregulation and tariff flexibility could be blended to streamline cross-border commerce without undermining worker protections. Many agreed that policy coordination—especially on customs, energy, and digital trade—will be essential if a U.S.-Mexico power play is to materialize.
Toward a New Trade Era
With the Milken conference bringing together public officials, billionaires, and tech CEOs, Rowan’s speech stood out for both its clarity and ambition. By prioritizing North American integration, he argued, the U.S. could secure its economic future without relying on unstable or adversarial global markets.
As the crowd of Mexican executives erupted in applause, the message was clear: the time for talk is over. Whether a U.S. President follows Rowan’s advice remains to be seen—but the vision of a consolidated U.S.-Mexico front may already be gaining momentum.
