On November 7, 2025, the ornate halls of Mexico City’s National Palace became the stage for a diplomatic encounter that promised to reshape the future of Mexico-France relations. French President Emmanuel Macron, fresh from the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, arrived for his first official visit to Mexico—a visit brimming with symbolism, history, and a clear-eyed look toward the future. It was the first high-level exchange between the two countries since 2014, and it carried the weight of a decade’s worth of anticipation.
President Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office in October 2024, welcomed Macron with a gesture as meaningful as it was historic: a temporary, reciprocal exhibition of two centuries-old pre-Hispanic manuscripts—the Codex Azcatitlan and the Codex Boturini. These manuscripts, created by Nahua peoples during the early colonial period, recount the migration of the Mexica and the founding of Tenochtitlan, offering a window into the living memory and deep roots of Mexican identity.
“The acceptance of reciprocal and simultaneous temporary transfers so that the Azcatitlán codex can be exhibited in Mexico and the Boturini codex in France is significant. These centuries-old manuscripts are fundamental to the relationship between Europe and Mexico,” Sheinbaum declared, according to EFE. She went on to emphasize, “They represent a living memory of our history for Mexico, the written voice of our ancestors, and the deep roots of our identity.”
For Sheinbaum, the exchange was more than cultural diplomacy—it was an act of symbolic justice. “Each codex, each mark, and each symbol reminds us that we are heirs to a civilization or civilizations that flourished long before Western modernity, and that today we engage in dialogue with it on terms of equality and respect,” she said. The president had previously indicated her intent to request the definitive return of the Azcatitlán Codex as part of Mexico’s broader cultural heritage recovery policy, but for now, the codex will return to France after its exhibition in 2026.
This cultural gesture set the tone for a summit that would reach far beyond the museum walls. Macron, standing beside Sheinbaum, described the exchange as a demonstration of intellectual and political affinity. “France loves Mexico,” he said, referencing Victor Hugo’s opposition to French intervention in Mexico’s past. “Today we begin a new chapter in our strategic alliance, one that demands—and that we want to be—even more global,” Macron announced at a press conference, as reported by multiple sources including TYT Newsroom and EFE.
The meeting came at a pivotal moment for Mexico. Facing rising trade tensions with the United States—its main export market—Mexico has been seeking closer ties with the European Union. Washington currently applies tariffs of up to 50% on Mexican products like steel, copper, and tomatoes, including some not covered by the USMCA trade agreement. Against this backdrop, France’s engagement was more than a friendly gesture; it was a strategic lifeline.
Macron made it clear that economic cooperation was at the heart of the renewed alliance. He highlighted that 700 French companies already operate in Mexico, generating between 150,000 and 180,000 direct jobs and 700,000 indirect jobs—a figure he hoped would grow. French firms are particularly active in priority sectors such as aerospace, energy, transportation, the circular economy, health, and innovation. “The consolidation of our strategic alliance requires an impulse that we want to give to our economic cooperation,” Macron stated, according to EFE.
The two leaders announced the reactivation of the Franco-Mexican Strategic Council, a body designed to spur economic exchanges. In 2024 alone, these exchanges reached 6.8 billion euros, underscoring the economic heft of the relationship. Macron was optimistic about future prospects: “I believe the potential for synergy is great, and we are committed to strengthening the relationship between Mexico, France, and the European Union.”
Sheinbaum, for her part, linked the alliance to shared values, noting that Mexico and France are “united by the challenges of the contemporary world, the defense of the environment, gender equality, scientific and technological cooperation, the promotion of human rights, and the idea that culture can serve as a bridge between our peoples.” The upcoming renewal of the trade agreement between Mexico and the European Union, scheduled for 2026 to coincide with the bicentennial of Mexico-France diplomatic relations, was singled out as a major opportunity for deepening ties.
On the cultural front, the two nations agreed to collaborate not only on the temporary exchange of codices but also on broader initiatives. Macron invited Sheinbaum to France and promised that the National Center of Cinema, the Comédie-Française theater company, and the Quai Branly Museum would participate in the bicentennial celebrations, which are set to be held in Mexico. Joint programs in the arts, education, and scientific research were also announced, including student exchanges and museum partnerships. According to TYT Newsroom, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and sustainable development.
The Mexican press, meanwhile, focused on Macron’s comments regarding U.S. military actions in the Caribbean and the potential implications for Mexico. Macron emphasized France’s commitment to state sovereignty, stating, “France is committed to the sovereignty of all states, and the fight against drug trafficking must be resolved through cooperation between states, and with absolute respect for each one’s sovereignty.”
For many observers, the summit represented a turning point. Mexico and France have strengthened their trade relations significantly since the European Union-Mexico Free Trade Agreement took effect in 2000, with France now ranking as the sixth largest European investor in Mexico. But the November meeting suggested a new era—one defined by strategic diversification, cultural restitution, and a shared vision for the future.
As both nations prepare for the bicentennial of their diplomatic relationship in 2026, the temporary return of the codices stands as a poignant reminder of their intertwined histories. The renewed economic and cultural partnership, meanwhile, points to a future where Mexico and France engage not only as trading partners but as equals—committed to shared values and mutual growth, even in a world marked by uncertainty and shifting alliances.
