US investors 'will not pivot away from Mexico,' despite Trump rhetoric

US investors are keen to engage with Mexico and projects will be built this year despite President Donald Trump's protectionist policies and hostility toward trade with Mexico.

That's according to Ferris Hussein (pictured), an energy- and infrastructure-focused executive director at US investment firm Carlyle Group.

At an energy conference in Mexico City, Hussein said the only challenge facing investors in Mexico's energy sector concerns the fact that it only opened up recently to private investment, following the 2014 energy reform.

He said some investors may play a wait-and-see game and might, for example, hold off on making major investment decisions until next year's general election is over.

"But US investors will not pivot away from Mexico, and there is a big difference between Trump's plans and investor sentiment," he said.

Trump says he plans to build a border wall and force Mexico to pay for it by imposing a tax on Mexican imports. He has also claimed he forced auto-maker Ford to scrap plans to build a US$1.6bn plant in San Luis Potosí and instead manufacture on US soil.

The more engagement that takes place with Mexico by US investors the better, Hussein said.

He said Carlyle Group is very active in Mexico and has had an office in Mexico City since 2003.

Hussein predicted that there would be some big investments in the country's energy sector this year by US firms, "despite what's going on with the US administration."