2024 - Articles
Article: Strengthening USMCA and North America's economic cooperation
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will reach its fourth anniversary in 2024 just as Mexico elects a new president-a few months before the United States does the same. While an election in Canada could happen at any time, it is most likely to occur in 2025, still ahead of the review agreed for USMCA in 2026.
Building on its predecessor, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), USMCA has unquestionably become a foundation for North American trade and investment. USMCA has helped fuel robust trade growth following the shocks of a global pandemic and provides a powerful vehicle for further growth if used well, as recommended in this piece.
USMCA members have several big issues that they have yet to resolve under the agreement’s dispute resolution processes, and the outcomes will either reinforce or undermine USMCA’s credibility and its ability to continue to deliver for the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
For now, we only have a preliminary assessment of USMCA’s novel features, such as the digital trade chapter and the Rapid Response Labor Mechanism (RLM) after a few years of implementation, nor have the three countries really taken up the regulatory action agenda embedded in USMCA (Chapters 12 and 28).
USMCA implementation is broadly off to a good start. However, achieving the agreement´s full potential depends on three additional factors:
Gaining traction on USMCA’s cooperation chapters in areas such as Small- and Medium- Sized Enterprises, Competitiveness, Good Regulatory Practices, and Temporary Entry for Business Persons;
Developing the potential of USMCA’s Competitiveness Committee; and Leveraging other parallel bilateral and trilateral mechanisms such as the North American Leaders’ Summit (NALS), the High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED), and the 21st Century Border Management Initiative.
This chapter analyzes these topics, provides a general assessment of the current state of play, and offers recommendations for further actions.
Building on its predecessor, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), USMCA has unquestionably become a foundation for North American trade and investment. USMCA has helped fuel robust trade growth following the shocks of a global pandemic and provides a powerful vehicle for further growth if used well, as recommended in this piece.
USMCA members have several big issues that they have yet to resolve under the agreement’s dispute resolution processes, and the outcomes will either reinforce or undermine USMCA’s credibility and its ability to continue to deliver for the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
For now, we only have a preliminary assessment of USMCA’s novel features, such as the digital trade chapter and the Rapid Response Labor Mechanism (RLM) after a few years of implementation, nor have the three countries really taken up the regulatory action agenda embedded in USMCA (Chapters 12 and 28).
USMCA implementation is broadly off to a good start. However, achieving the agreement´s full potential depends on three additional factors:
Gaining traction on USMCA’s cooperation chapters in areas such as Small- and Medium- Sized Enterprises, Competitiveness, Good Regulatory Practices, and Temporary Entry for Business Persons;
Developing the potential of USMCA’s Competitiveness Committee; and Leveraging other parallel bilateral and trilateral mechanisms such as the North American Leaders’ Summit (NALS), the High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED), and the 21st Century Border Management Initiative.
This chapter analyzes these topics, provides a general assessment of the current state of play, and offers recommendations for further actions.
Canada Institute Experts Reflect on the Legacy of Brian Mulroney
On February 29, 2024, former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney passed away at the age of 84. During his tenure at the helm of Canada's government, Mulroney advanced trade and environmental policies that are still impacting the Canada-US relationship forty years on. Among the many accolades he received in his career, Mulroney was awarded a Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service in 2003. In this collection, Canada Institute experts reflect on his extensive legacy.
Article: AMLO's proposed reforms deserve scrutiny in both Mexico and the US
In light of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s presentation of 20 constitutional reforms on Feb. 5, the Mexico Institute invited Advisory Board members, fellows and experts to provide analysis and commentary on individual proposals and the broader reform package.
You can read the first part of this series here by Andrew Rudman, Pamela Starr and Earl Anthony (Tony) Wayne.
You can read the first part of this series here by Andrew Rudman, Pamela Starr and Earl Anthony (Tony) Wayne.
Article: Mexico’s Proposed Constitutional Reforms Need Careful Scrutiny in the Mexico and the US
Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) has proposed 20 constitutional and legal reforms in an apparent effort to boost his chosen successor, Claudia Sheinbaum, and his Morena party for Mexico’s June 2 national elections.
The proposals would protect and advance several AMLO favored initiatives by incorporating them in the constitution. Many of the suggested reforms would concentrate more power in Mexico’s executive at the expense of independent authorities working on electoral, economic, judicial, and other important issues. On February 18, tens of thousands in Mexico met in protest citing several of the proposed reforms as threatening for Mexico’s democracy. ...
From a good governance perspective, AMLO’s propositions would eliminate key autonomous regulatory bodies including those covering competition, telecommunications, and energy. These reforms would have direct and indirect impact on the implementation of the North American trade agreement, USMCA, and on US companies doing business in Mexico. ...
The proposals would protect and advance several AMLO favored initiatives by incorporating them in the constitution. Many of the suggested reforms would concentrate more power in Mexico’s executive at the expense of independent authorities working on electoral, economic, judicial, and other important issues. On February 18, tens of thousands in Mexico met in protest citing several of the proposed reforms as threatening for Mexico’s democracy. ...
From a good governance perspective, AMLO’s propositions would eliminate key autonomous regulatory bodies including those covering competition, telecommunications, and energy. These reforms would have direct and indirect impact on the implementation of the North American trade agreement, USMCA, and on US companies doing business in Mexico. ...
How Will Proposed Reforms Shape Mexico's Politics?
“President López Obrador’s 20 proposed reforms appear aimed at boosting his chosen successor, Claudia Sheinbaum, and his Morena party in Mexico’s June 2 election. They would protect and advance AMLO initiatives, concentrating more power in Mexico’s president, reducing checks and balances in its democracy, introducing elections for judges and bolstering the military’s public security role. AMLO’s presidential candidate, Claudia Sheinbaum, is 15-20 percent ahead in the polls, but AMLO wants his allies to win the two-thirds legislative majority to approve his recommended constitutional amendments. AMLO’s proposals seem aimed at keeping him in the limelight during the campaign season; they appear designed to knock the opposition off balance with proposals appealing to poorer Mexicans, including new salary and retirement benefits. Several propositions could well weaken Mexico’s electoral, legislative and administrative institutions, give the government more concentrated economic power regarding energy and regulation, and impose costly programs on his successors. From a U.S. perspective, some proposals threaten commitments made in the USMCA trade agreement and could harm U.S. businesses working in Mexico. Mexico is the United States’ largest trading partner and depends heavily on the American market, but AMLO’s proposed reforms would weaken regulatory institutions important for good USMCA implementation. AMLO also proposes to constitutionally ban genetically modified corn, despite major U.S. GMO corn exports to Mexico and a pending U.S. trade complaint. Strategically, the United States seeks a strong democratic Mexico to partner in building a more competitive and prosperous North America, but several of AMLO’s proposed changes send flashing red warnings.”
Article: How Will Proposed Reforms Shape Mexico’s Politics?
President López Obrador’s 20 proposed reforms
appear aimed at boosting his chosen successor, Claudia Sheinbaum, and his Morena
party in Mexico’s June 2 election. They
would protect and advance AMLO initiatives,
concentrating more power in Mexico’s president, reducing checks and balances in its
democracy, introducing elections for judges
and bolstering the military’s public security
role. AMLO’s presidential candidate, Claudia
Sheinbaum, is 15-20 percent ahead in the
polls, but AMLO wants his allies to win the
two-thirds legislative majority to approve his
recommended constitutional amendments.
AMLO’s proposals seem aimed at keeping
him in the limelight during the campaign
season; they appear designed to knock
the opposition off balance with proposals
appealing to poorer Mexicans, including
new salary and retirement benefits. Several
propositions could well weaken Mexico’s
electoral, legislative and administrative
institutions, give the government more concentrated economic power regarding energy
and regulation, and impose costly programs
on his successors. From a U.S. perspective,
some proposals threaten commitments
made in the USMCA trade agreement and
could harm U.S. businesses working in
Mexico. Mexico is the United States’ largest
trading partner and depends heavily on the
American market, but AMLO’s proposed reforms would weaken regulatory institutions
important for good USMCA implementation.
AMLO also proposes to constitutionally ban
genetically modified corn, despite major U.S.
GMO corn exports to Mexico and a pending
U.S. trade complaint. Strategically, the United States seeks a strong democratic Mexico
to partner in building a more competitive and
prosperous North America, but several of
AMLO’s proposed changes send flashing red
warnings.”
appear aimed at boosting his chosen successor, Claudia Sheinbaum, and his Morena
party in Mexico’s June 2 election. They
would protect and advance AMLO initiatives,
concentrating more power in Mexico’s president, reducing checks and balances in its
democracy, introducing elections for judges
and bolstering the military’s public security
role. AMLO’s presidential candidate, Claudia
Sheinbaum, is 15-20 percent ahead in the
polls, but AMLO wants his allies to win the
two-thirds legislative majority to approve his
recommended constitutional amendments.
AMLO’s proposals seem aimed at keeping
him in the limelight during the campaign
season; they appear designed to knock
the opposition off balance with proposals
appealing to poorer Mexicans, including
new salary and retirement benefits. Several
propositions could well weaken Mexico’s
electoral, legislative and administrative
institutions, give the government more concentrated economic power regarding energy
and regulation, and impose costly programs
on his successors. From a U.S. perspective,
some proposals threaten commitments
made in the USMCA trade agreement and
could harm U.S. businesses working in
Mexico. Mexico is the United States’ largest
trading partner and depends heavily on the
American market, but AMLO’s proposed reforms would weaken regulatory institutions
important for good USMCA implementation.
AMLO also proposes to constitutionally ban
genetically modified corn, despite major U.S.
GMO corn exports to Mexico and a pending
U.S. trade complaint. Strategically, the United States seeks a strong democratic Mexico
to partner in building a more competitive and
prosperous North America, but several of
AMLO’s proposed changes send flashing red
warnings.”
Article: Mexico’s Next President: USMCA and North America - Pulse News Mexico
The fourth anniversary of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will arrive just after Mexicans elect their new president and Congress and four months before Americans do the same. The USMCA should continue to be an essential framework and tool to enhance prosperity and economic competitiveness. However, the three countries must work hard to develop its potential and reinforce its credibility.
Mexico’s new president and government should prioritize continued progress. The certainty
Mexico’s new president and government should prioritize continued progress. The certainty
Spanish draft re Successful Workforce Development in North America, Capitulo 7-Wayne y Alcocer, revisado:actualizado Jan 23, 2024
This updated and revised chapter on Successful Workforce Development in North America will be included in the Spanish edition of North America 2.0 That edition is currently in preparation.
Successful Workforce Development in North America, Wayne & Alocer Updated and Revised Jan 24
This updated chapter will be part of a Spanish version of the book: North America 2.0 | Forging a Continental Future. It is currently in process of publication.
Article: Why Mexico’s Elections Matter to the US - Pulse News Mexico
By EARL ANTHONY WAYNE, former U.S. ambassador to Mexico
Mexico’s 2024 elections are important for Mexico and for the United States too.
In a year filled with elections around the world, the United States should pay close attention to Mexico’s 2024 electoral contests. Mexico’s incumbent President, Manuel Andrés López Obrador (AMLO) seeks to preserve his legacy by supporting the election of his chosen successor, Claudia Sheinbaum. AMLO wants to assure the continuation of Mexico’s “Fourth Transfo
Mexico’s 2024 elections are important for Mexico and for the United States too.
In a year filled with elections around the world, the United States should pay close attention to Mexico’s 2024 electoral contests. Mexico’s incumbent President, Manuel Andrés López Obrador (AMLO) seeks to preserve his legacy by supporting the election of his chosen successor, Claudia Sheinbaum. AMLO wants to assure the continuation of Mexico’s “Fourth Transfo
Article: Mexico's elections important for the US too
In a year filled with elections around the world, we should pay close attention to Mexico’s 2024 electoral contests. Mexico’s incumbent president, Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador or AMLO as he is known, seeks to preserve his legacy by supporting the election of his chosen successor, Claudia Sheinbaum.
AMLO wants to assure the continuation of Mexico’s “fourth transformation,” as AMLO calls the reform process that he initiated. A determined opposition seeks to reverse many of AMLO’s actions and polic
AMLO wants to assure the continuation of Mexico’s “fourth transformation,” as AMLO calls the reform process that he initiated. A determined opposition seeks to reverse many of AMLO’s actions and polic
Article: Why are Mexico's Elections Important?
Mexico’s 2024 elections are important for Mexico and for the United States too.
In a year filled with elections around the world, we should pay close attention to Mexico’s 2024 electoral contests. Mexico’s incumbent President, Manuel Andrés López Obrador or AMLO as he is known, seeks to preserve his legacy by supporting the election of his chosen successor, Claudia Sheinbaum. AMLO wants to assure the continuation of Mexico’s “fourth transformation,” as AMLO calls the reform process that he init
In a year filled with elections around the world, we should pay close attention to Mexico’s 2024 electoral contests. Mexico’s incumbent President, Manuel Andrés López Obrador or AMLO as he is known, seeks to preserve his legacy by supporting the election of his chosen successor, Claudia Sheinbaum. AMLO wants to assure the continuation of Mexico’s “fourth transformation,” as AMLO calls the reform process that he init
Article: 2024: An Important Year for Global Elections: Mexico
Mexico’s 2024 elections will be very significant. The incumbent President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, or AMLO, as he is known, seeks to preserve his legacy by supporting the election of his chosen successor, Claudia Sheinbaum, and thus assuring the continuation of Mexico’s “fourth transformation,” as AMLO calls the reforms he initiated. A determined opposition seeks to reverse many of AMLO’s reforms and policies and warns that AMLO seeks to weaken Mexico’s democracy.
Mexico’s elections are also ...
Mexico’s elections are also ...