Chinese companies are using Mexico as a smart place to set up shop and sell their products in the US. They do this to avoid the taxes and restrictions that the US puts on goods from China. One example is a company called Man Wah Furniture. They built a factory in Monterrey, Mexico using money from China. By doing this, Chinese companies can save money on shipping and make products that are considered Mexican, so they don't have to pay the US taxes. This is good for Mexico because it helps their economy grow. In fact, their exports went up by 5.8% in 2021. This trend is expected to keep going because of the trade war between the US and China. Mexico is in a good spot because it's right in the middle of these two big countries. It has become the US's main trading partner instead of China. Some US companies are also moving to Mexico to be closer to the US market. But people are worried about Mexico getting caught up in the fight between the US and China. They think Mexico needs to have a plan to deal with this situation. Even though there are some problems, some people are still hopeful about the trend of moving businesses to Mexico. They think Mexico can benefit from being so close to the US.
Original news source: How Chinese firms are using Mexico as a backdoor to the US (BBC)
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π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into small groups.
2. Give each group a copy of the article.
3. Tell the groups that they have 10 minutes to read the article and create a summary of the main points.
4. After 10 minutes, have each group share their summary with the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions:
1. Write the following question on the board: "Do you think it is a good idea for Chinese companies to set up factories in Mexico to avoid US taxes?"
2. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
3. Instruct students to discuss the question and share their opinions with each other.
4. After a few minutes, have each pair or group share their opinions with the class.
5. Facilitate a class discussion, allowing students to express their opinions and provide reasons for their answers.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions:
1. Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board.
2. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
3. Give each pair or group a piece of paper and a pen.
4. Instruct students to take turns choosing a vocabulary word and drawing a picture to represent it.
5. The other students in the pair or group must guess the word based on the drawing.
6. After a set amount of time, rotate roles so that each student has a chance to draw and guess.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into two groups.
2. Assign one group to discuss the pros of Chinese companies setting up factories in Mexico, and the other group to discuss the cons.
3. Give the groups a few minutes to brainstorm and write down their arguments.
4. Have each group present their arguments to the class, taking turns between the pro and con group.
5. Encourage students to respond to each other's arguments and engage in a respectful debate.
– Future Predictions
Instructions:
1. Ask the class to think about the future of Chinese companies setting up factories in Mexico.
2. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
3. Instruct students to discuss and make predictions about what they think will happen in the future.
4. Encourage students to consider the potential impact on Mexico, the US, and China.
5. After a few minutes, have each pair or group share their predictions with the class.
6. Facilitate a class discussion, allowing students to compare and discuss their predictions.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
Chinese companies are setting up factories in Mexico to avoid the taxes and restrictions that the US puts on goods from China.
Setting up factories in Mexico helps Chinese companies save money because they can avoid shipping costs and also avoid paying US taxes by making products that are considered Mexican.
Mexico's economy has been positively affected by Chinese companies setting up factories there. Their exports have increased by 5.8% in 2021, which helps the economy grow.
Mexico's exports have increased as a result of Chinese companies setting up factories in the country.
Mexico is considered a good location for Chinese companies to set up shop because it is right in the middle of the US and China. This helps them avoid the trade war between the two countries and makes it easier to sell their products in the US.
Some US companies are also moving to Mexico to be closer to the US market. By setting up factories in Mexico, they can save on shipping costs and have easier access to the US market.
People are concerned that Mexico could get caught up in the trade war between the US and China. They worry that Mexico may face negative consequences or be used as a pawn in the conflict.
Some people are still hopeful about the trend of moving businesses to Mexico because they believe Mexico can benefit from being so close to the US market. They see the potential for economic growth and job opportunities in the country.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Chinese companies are using Mexico as a smart to set up shop and sell their products in the US. They do this to avoid the taxes and restrictions that the US puts on goods from China. One example is a company Man Wah Furniture. They a factory in , Mexico using money from China. By doing this, companies can save money on shipping and make products that are Mexican, so they don't have to pay the US taxes. This is good for Mexico because it helps their economy grow. In fact, their exports went up by 5.8% in 2021. This is to keep going because of the trade war between the US and China. Mexico is in a good spot because it's right in the middle of these two big . It has the US's main trading partner instead of China. Some US companies are also to Mexico to be closer to the US market. But are worried about Mexico getting caught up in the between the US and China. They Mexico to have a plan to deal with this situation. Even though there are some problems, some people are still hopeful about the trend of moving to Mexico. They think Mexico can benefit from being so close to the US.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What do you think about Chinese companies setting up factories in Mexico to sell products in the US?
2. How would you feel if you were a Mexican worker at one of these Chinese factories in Mexico?
3. Do you think it's fair for Chinese companies to avoid taxes and restrictions by making products in Mexico?
4. Why do you think Mexico is a smart place for Chinese companies to set up shop?
5. How do you think the trade war between the US and China is affecting Mexico?
6. Do you think Mexico should be worried about getting caught up in the fight between the US and China? Why or why not?
7. What do you think Mexico can do to deal with the situation of being in the middle of the US and China?
8. How do you think the trend of moving businesses to Mexico will benefit the country?
9. Do you think it's a good idea for US companies to also move to Mexico to be closer to the US market? Why or why not?
10. What are some potential problems that could arise from Chinese companies setting up factories in Mexico?
11. How do you think the Mexican economy will be affected by the increase in exports?
12. Do you think it's important for Mexico to have a plan to deal with the situation of being in the middle of the US and China? Why or why not?
13. How do you think the trade relationship between Mexico and the US will change in the future?
14. Do you think it's fair for Mexico to become the US's main trading partner instead of China? Why or why not?
15. What are some potential benefits and drawbacks for Mexico in being so close to the US?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
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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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