Perceptions of the EU/Brexit in Mexico

Abstract

This chapter inspects the perceptions of Mexican elites based on statements made by public officials, analysis published by scholars and the coverage and opinions of influential journalists regarding Brexit between 2016 and 2018. The main argument is that the perceptions of the EU/Brexit in Mexico have experienced a divergent trend: while Mexican perceptions about the Brexit process are overwhelmingly negative due to the potential disruptive effects on the European integration process, Mexican perceptions of the EU have tended to be positive as a result of the conclusion of the modernization of the EU–Mexico association agreement in April 2018. After presenting a brief overview of the general trends in the relationship between Mexico and the EU as well as between Mexico and the United Kingdom, the chapter reviews previous studies about the perceptions of the EU in Mexico. Later, this chapter examines the main perceptions of scholars and media outlets about the Brexit vote and the following “period of uncertainty”, and categorizes them into seven images. Finally, the chapter follows the review of the current and potential public policy strategies to address the relationship between Mexico and the United Kingdom in the context of the Brexit.