In Mexico, people are taken for the United States, while the factories there are empty

At that time, Silao flourished with agriculture and shoe factories. It was a rural town where nothing exciting happened, surrounded by corn fields, cacti and mountains. 25 years later, one of those hills offers a view of the huge General Motors site. Cervantes’ tattooed hand points to the veils that reveal nothing from the outside. He knows what goes on inside: assembly, six, eight, ten speed gearboxes, engine, body, paint, quality control.

A new paved road runs from the GM plant to the ‘inner port’ north of Silao, an industrial area with a customs post. Next to the factory is a large parking lot that is one-third full of pick-ups. Spectacular production can’t keep up with the more spectacular needs of these majestic animals, says Cervantes. In the distance, American cars sparkle like diamonds in the sun: Chevrolet Cheyenne, Silverado, GMC Sierra models.

Those who look at this flourishing capitalism will easily believe the US president’s statement of ‘zero zero’: here Mexico is winning at the expense of the United States. NAFTA, Donald Trump claimed during his 2016 campaign, was the worst trade deal ever. Americans have been arguing with Mexico for years. He promised a new deal and a firm stance for America’s manufacturing industry.