Chinese companies are moving to Mexico to sell their products in the US without paying extra taxes. They are setting up factories in northern Mexico to be closer to the US. This plan, called nearshoring, helps them save money on shipping and avoid US trade rules. More Chinese companies are investing in Mexico every year.
Mexico is in a good spot between the US and China, making it a great place for Chinese companies. US companies are also building factories in Mexico, sometimes moving from Asia. But some experts say Mexico should be careful about getting too involved in the US-China trade fight. They think Mexico needs a plan to protect itself and make smart choices.
Many people in Mexico think nearshoring can help their economy grow. Juan Carlos Baker Pineda, a former trade official, says Mexico should make sure it can keep this trend going. Even though nearshoring started because of the US-China trade war, it is now Mexico's big advantage in global trade. This could be very good for Mexico's future.
Original news source: How Chinese firms are using Mexico as a backdoor to the US (BBC)
π§ Listen:
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs, students will read the article and write a summary of the main points. They will then share their summaries with the class and discuss any differences or similarities.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: In groups of three, students will discuss and share their opinions on the following question: "Do you think nearshoring is a good strategy for Chinese companies in Mexico? Why or why not?" After discussing, each group will present their opinions to the class.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. One student from each pair will choose a vocabulary word from the article and draw a picture representing that word. Their partner must guess the word based on the drawing. After a set time, switch roles and continue.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: In small groups, students will discuss the pros and cons of nearshoring for Mexico's economy. They should consider the benefits and drawbacks of Chinese companies investing in Mexico. After the discussion, each group will present their findings to the class.
– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Individually, students will think about and write down their answer to the following question: "What are the potential risks and benefits of Mexico's involvement in the US-China trade fight?" After a few minutes, students will pair up and share their answers. Finally, pairs will join with another pair to discuss their answers as a group.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
Chinese companies are moving to Mexico to sell their products in the US without paying extra taxes.
The benefit of nearshoring for Chinese companies is that it helps them save money on shipping and avoid US trade rules.
Mexico is a good place for Chinese companies to set up factories because it is in a good spot between the US and China, making it easier for them to sell their products in the US.
Yes, US companies are also building factories in Mexico. They are doing this to save money on production costs and be closer to the US market.
Some experts think Mexico should be careful about getting too involved in the US-China trade fight. They think Mexico needs a plan to protect itself and make smart choices.
Many people in Mexico think nearshoring can help their economy because it brings more jobs and investment to the country. It can help Mexico's economy grow.
According to Juan Carlos Baker Pineda, Mexico should make sure it can keep the nearshoring trend going because it is now Mexico's big advantage in global trade. It can be very good for Mexico's future.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Chinese companies are moving to Mexico to sell their products in the US without paying extra taxes. They are up in northern Mexico to be closer to the US. This plan, called nearshoring, helps them save money on and avoid US trade rules. More Chinese are investing in Mexico every year. Mexico is in a good spot between the US and , making it a great for Chinese companies. US companies are also building factories in Mexico, sometimes moving from Asia. But some experts say Mexico should be careful about getting too involved in the US-China trade fight. They think Mexico needs a to itself and make smart choices. Many people in Mexico think nearshoring can help their economy grow. Carlos Baker Pineda, a former trade official, Mexico should make sure it can keep this trend . Even though started because of the US-China trade war, it is now Mexico's big advantage in global trade. This could be very good for Mexico's future.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is nearshoring and why do Chinese companies do it?
2. How do Chinese companies benefit from setting up factories in northern Mexico?
3. Do you think nearshoring is a good idea for Chinese companies? Why or why not?
4. How do US companies benefit from building factories in Mexico?
5. What do some experts say Mexico should be careful about when it comes to the US-China trade fight?
6. Do you agree with the experts that Mexico needs a plan to protect itself? Why or why not?
7. How do many people in Mexico think nearshoring can help their economy?
8. Who is Juan Carlos Baker Pineda and what does he think Mexico should do?
9. Do you think nearshoring is a big advantage for Mexico in global trade? Why or why not?
10. How do you think nearshoring could be very good for Mexico's future?
11. How would you feel if you were a factory worker in Mexico working for a Chinese or US company?
12. Do you think nearshoring is a fair practice? Why or why not?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.
Words
Meanings
π‘ Multiple Choice Questions:
π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
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