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2031, the construction of these conduits is of vital importance for allowing Mexicans to access cheaper energy. Moreover, Pe- mex’s transportation network prior to the NIP was just 3,000 pipeline miles, or about one-nineteenth of the crude oil pipeline mileage of the United States. Though the tax structure for midstream investments in Mexico can be complex, the profit incentives are large enough to attract large investments into the Mexican midstream market.
WILL NAFTA HURT?
It is true that U.S. president Donald Trump’s pledge to renegotiate NAFTA might dampen the enthusiasm of U.S. or other foreign companies to invest in Mexico. But if Trump does manage to secure more favorable trade terms for his country, the short-term effects for Mexico would impact cross-border
trade but probably would not affect the ongoing infrastructure projects. For example, both the new México City airport and
a suburban train connecting Toluca to México City are major projects that are not related to NAFTA. And since Mexico has neglected much of its infrastructure for so long prior to the NIP, these improvements are vital to the nation’s long-term competitiveness in Latin America and the world.
Like many large construction undertakings, many of the NIP projects have already fallen behind schedule, and it is unlikely that all development will be completed by 2018, when Peña Nieto’s presidential term ends. But if the vast majority of NIP projects are finished within the next several years, Mexico will be poised to become a major player in Western Hemisphere trade over the next decade—as well as an even more comfort- able place for people to live, work, and visit.
  The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency tapped Mexico as one of the top 20 best-positioned na- tions when evaluating infrastructure and telecommunications. Plus, Mexico is third in the airport infrastructure category.
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