RioPlex Summit in Houston Showcases RGV as Global Investment Hub Amid Tariff Pause

Houston, TX — RioPlex’s Texas Port to the Stars FDI Summit, held April 9-10, 2025, at the Westin Galleria in Houston, brought together global leaders to position the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) and northern Tamaulipas as a top destination for foreign direct investment. The event, hosted by RioPlex, comes as the Trump administration pauses tariffs, boosting trade optimism. The initiative is the brainchild of CIL Logistics Titan Joaquin Spamer.

The Details:

• Global Reach: Consulates from 17 countries, spanning Europe to Asia, attended to explore RGV opportunities.

• Leadership Spotlight: TAB’s Glenn Hamer moderated a panel with RGV mayors John Cowen (Brownsville), Norie Gonzalez (Mission), Norma Sepulveda (Harlingen), and Javier Villalobos (McAllen).

• Tariff Relief: The tariff pause under the USMCA strengthens Texas’s trade position, with 75% of U.S.-Mexico trade crossing Texas borders in 2024.

• RGV Assets: The region boasts 13 international bridges, seven airports, and a young workforce with a median age of 27-28.

Why It Matters:

Carlos Ealy, Texas Assistant Secretary of State for Mexican and Border Affairs, called the RGV “North America’s commercial artery,” emphasizing its role in global trade and innovation.

The Catch:

Tariff shifts could still impact trade—stay tuned for policy updates.

Bottom Line:

RioPlex’s summit marks the RGV as a rising star in international investment, fueled by Texas’s trade leadership.