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2024-2026 - Articles

Resiliance and Reform: Aligning US Priorities for the 2026 USMCA Review

The following report evaluates and identifies key priorities for the scheduled July 1,
2026, review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). In a moment of
heightened geopolitical and economic uncertainty, it is essential to protect and enhance the
United States’ trade capabilities and to reinforce North America as one of the most competitive
economic regions globally.
The upcoming review under Article 34.7 takes place amid declining trust, driven by U.S.
trade measures, Mexico’s judicial reforms, and the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC)
expanding influence across the continent. These dynamics complicate negotiations and risk
exploiting weaknesses in the current USMCA provisions. To this end, offices of the U.S.
Department of State (State) has requested an in-depth analysis of select sections of the USMCA
with actionable recommendations to strengthen U.S. economic policy during the upcoming
review.
This analysis focuses on four priority areas: critical minerals, agriculture, digital
trade, and counter-narcotics cooperation, highlighting their importance to North American
economic competitiveness and national security. An initial assessment of the current USMCA
reveals that these sectors are constrained by regulatory gaps, inconsistent enforcement, and
limited trilateral coordination. To address these weaknesses, the report’s recommendations
center on three overarching themes: strengthening trilateral cooperation, modernizing trade
provisions, and mitigating strategic vulnerabilities.
2026 American University Diplomacy Lab paper on AGOA, The Africa Growth And Opportunity Act: Analysis and Modernization Recommendations •

African & the United States: Analysis and Modernization recommendations for the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA)

This spring 2026 paper on AGOA was completed by a team of AU undergraduates looking for ways to promote much better use of the U.S. African Growth and Opportunities Act. The paper suggests a series of recommendations for building a more productive set of cooperative activities between the United States and countries in Africa that can provide additional benefits for the partners.
Worldviews Podcast •

Diplomacy re-examined with former Assistant Secretary of State Earl Anthony Wayne

Has U.S. foreign policy changed for now, or for good? How to make sense of the calibrated and coercive return to the Western Hemisphere, from "Our South"--Latin America and the Carribeans--to Canada and Greenland,? What are the key metrics of US-Mexico & US-Argentina relations from the perspective of a former Ambassador to both nations? How to explain the fallout of Afghanistan from the perspective of a former Deputy Ambassador? What will be the roles of Europe, China, and other constituencies in coauthoring international norms? What remains in the agency of diplomats in finding common grounds in an ever-divided world?

WorldViews is honoured to host former Assistant Secretary of State Earl Anthony Wayne for a conversation on diplomacy in a fast-changing world.

Diclaimer: Worldviews is a media platform registered in the United States under the applicable law. All views expressed by guests are their own and do not represent the Platform or its affiliates. Guest participation does not constitute endorsement of the guest's past, present, or future conduct. Worldviews reserves the right to present diverse viewpoints without censorship. Worldviews assumes no legal liability for the actions our guests beyond the platform.
LinkedIn •

LinkedIn Post

View Diego Marroquín Bitar’s graphic link
Diego Marroquín BitarDiego Marroquín Bitar
• 1stVerified • 1st
USMCA & Trade Expert | Fellow, CSIS | Former Inaugural Bersin-Foster Scholar, Wilson Center | Founder, North America Compass & North America 3.0 | Co-Host, The Mexican Dream | Top 17 Thought Leader (Milenio)USMCA & Trade Expert | Fellow, CSIS | Former Inaugural Bersin-Foster Scholar, Wilson Center | Founder, North America Compass & North America 3.0 | Co-Host, The Mexican Dream | Top 17 Thought Leader (Milenio)
1d • 1 day ago • Visible to anyone on or off LinkedIn

Under a new trade & security paradigm 🇺🇸🇲🇽, intelligence sharing is just the baseline.

High-level prosecutions & the disruption of cartel financial networks inside hashtag#Mexico were set to increase.

The recent capture of Tequila's mayor fits this shift exactly, as we flagged at CSIS Americas Program

You can read the full analysis here 👇🏾
https://lnkd.in/ezAdxPgB
Cecilia Farfán-Méndez, Ph.D. Eduardo Guerrero Gutiérrez Ben Rohrbaugh
View Diego Marroquín Bitar’s graphic link
Diego Marroquín BitarDiego Marroquín Bitar
• 1stVerified • 1st
USMCA & Trade Expert | Fellow, CSIS | Former Inaugural Bersin-Foster Scholar, Wilson Center | Founder, North America Compass & North America 3.0 | Co-Host, The Mexican Dream | Top 17 Thought Leader (Milenio)USMCA & Trade Expert | Fellow, CSIS | Former Inaugural Bersin-Foster Scholar, Wilson Center | Founder, North America Compass & North America 3.0 | Co-Host, The Mexican Dream | Top 17 Thought Leader (Milenio)
1w • 1 week ago • Visible to anyone on or off LinkedIn
Why U.S.–Mexico Security Cooperation Is Falling Short for Washington?
CSIS Paper •

Why U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation Is Still Falling Short for Washington

In recent weeks, high-level exchanges between the United States and Mexico have underscored a shift in how Washington defines progress on security cooperation, with U.S. officials increasingly emphasizing the need for “tangible results,” including the prosecution of politicians with cartel ties. These signals arrive amid heightened debate over the possibility and consequences of unilateral U.S. action in Mexico, as well as growing concern about how security dynamics may intersect with the upcoming United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) review. Below, CSIS Americas Program experts react to the evolving security, economic, and political implications of this new phase in U.S.-Mexico relations.

Table of Contents
New Thresholds for U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation | Diego Marroquín Bitar

When Security Becomes the Organizing Principle of U.S.-Mexico Policy | Martha Bárcena Coqui

Military Uncertainty Threatens Economic Stability | Cecilia Farfán-Méndez

U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation at a Critical Juncture | Eduardo Guerrero-Gutiérrez

Security Cooperation Without Reassurance | Ben Rohrbaugh

Improving Mexico-U.S. Trust and Cooperation Against Crime | Earl Anthony Wayne
Atlantic Council •

By the numbers: The global economy in 2025

Some people might say that six, seven was the most important number of 2025. But our global economic experts beg to differ. This was a year in which the world’s largest economy hiked its tariff rates to the highest level in a century, cryptocurrency usage surged across the globe, sanctions evaders found new ways to avoid detection, global public debt climbed ever higher, and low-income countries backtracked on gains made over decades. Below, our GeoEconomics Center experts take you inside the nu...
The National Interest •

The Americas’ Critical Minerals Moment

The United States has a narrow window to reshape its economic future and its role in the Americas if it moves decisively. A network of special economic zones could secure critical minerals supply chains, compete with China, and catalyze growth across the Western Hemisphere. Designed with enforceable standards, it would demonstrate that the Americas can deliver long-term growth and security.

Critical minerals are at the heart of technological dynamism and national security, powering everything f...
CSIS •

USMCA Review 2026

The IssueThe United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), the backbone of North America’s competitiveness, will undergo a formal review starting in July 2026. What was once expected to be a routine assessment aimed at improving implementation is now likely to become a high-stakes negotiation. The Trump administration is poised to seek additional concessions from Mexico and Canada on long-standing trade disputes, while also leveraging the review to address non-trade issues such as migration, dr...
Afghanistan War Commission •

Afghanistan War Commission Hearings - June 23, 2025

On Monday, June 23, 2025, at 8:30 AM, in room G50 of the U.S. Senate’s Dirksen Office Building in Washington, D.C., the Commission will meet for its third public hearing to receive testimony from former senior U.S. and Afghan civilian and military officials. These discussions will contribute to our ongoing examination of the war in Afghanistan.

I participated in Panel 2.

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Hearing Timestamps👇
00:00 Co-Chair Opening Statements
17:43 Panel 1 Opening Statements
56:36 Panel 1 Question and Answer Dialogue
2:50:06 Panel 2 Opening Statements
3:24:19 Panel 2 Question and Answer Dialogue
Photo by Amar Preciado on Pexels
C-SPAN •

Afghanistan War Commission Examines Military, Personnel and Governance Issues Related to the Obama Administration

The Afghanistan War Commission held a hearing to examine decisions made during the Obama administration that impacted deployment levels of military and civilian personnel and our goals working with the Afghan government. I testified in the second of two hearings on developments during the Obama years. The hearing went on for over 4 hours. I testified in the third hour at about 3:10 in the broadcast.
The Inter-American Dialogue •

Eleventh Annual Building a Competitive U.S.-Mexico Border Conference – Inter-American Dialogue

On June 11, 2025, the Mexico Program at the Inter-American Dialogue, together with the Border Trade Alliance, hosted the Eleventh Annual Building a Competitive U.S.-Mexico Border Conference in Washington, DC. The high-level event convened members of Congress, private sector leaders, and policy experts to discuss the evolving dynamics of the U.S.-Mexico border. Through five panels, participants explored how trade, migration, infrastructure, energy, and emerging technologies are reshaping cross-bo...
Financial Times •

Former US army green beret becomes Trump’s man in Mexico

Your guide to what Trump’s second term means for Washington, business and the world includes a quote and insights from me:

A former US army colonel arrives on Thursday to start work as his country’s ambassador to Mexico as Washington puts intense pressure on its neighbour to get a grip on violent drug cartels.

Ronald D Johnson, a former special forces and CIA officer, arrives at a time when US leaders have openly floated the possibility of the first unilateral military intervention in more than a century. Analysts and former officials ...

QIZ's and Options for Expanding Cooperation in the Middle East, AU Diplomacy Lab Report

IMPROVING QUALIFYING
INDUSTRIAL ZONES:
Successes, Failures, & Emerging
Opportunities

by Percy Charlot, Henry Hurst,
Alyssa Jones, Noah Migues,
Madison Murfield, and Liam Nagle
Diplomacy Lab Report
American University 2025
Supervised: Ambassador/Professor Earl Anthony Wayne

Summary:
This report examines the historical context, successes,
and challenges of the current Qualifying Industrial
Zones (QIZ) framework. QIZs are part of a trade initiative involving the United States, Israel, Egypt, and the Hashemite Jordan. Developed initially to foster Arab-Israeli normalization and regional economic
cooperation under the 1994 Oslo Accords, QIZs have
generated measurable benefits such as increased
exports and employment, particularly in the textile and
garment industries. However, critical shortcomings
persist, including exploitative labor conditions, limited
technological advancement, and minimal regional
political normalization impact. With the evolving
geopolitical climate, especially the Israel-Hamas
conflict, this memo evaluates the relevance of QIZs in
today’s Middle East. Drawing on expert interviews,
economic data, and comparative analysis with China’s
SEZ model, the memo proposes modernizing QIZs by
integrating high-tech industries, expanding to include
Palestinian labor zones, and leveraging Gulf
investments. This memo recommends seeking
assistance from American and Gulf companies to
establish job training, working with regional
governments to expand the QIZ structure abroad, and
improving labor conditions in existing QIZs and other
regional industrial zones.
U.S. Policy Towards Mexico: Policy Recommendations •

U.S. Policy Towards Mexico: analysis and recommendations, Diplomacy Lab Report

Analysis and Recommendations for U.S. Policy Towards Mexico

Tristen Boga-Torres, Marielle DeVos, Diego Foglio, Mei Miller, Berkley Pelletier, Justin Stewart, Henry Su

American University Diplomacy Lab
Spring 2025
Guided by Professor/Ambassador Earl Anthony Wayne

Executive Summary
Strategic Context
The United States-Mexico relationship stands at a critical juncture with interconnected challenges and opportunities across three fundamental pillars: trade, migration, and security cooperation. As Mexico surpassed China as America's largest trading partner in 2023 with two-way trade in goods totaling $807 billion, the economic dimension of this relationship has gained
new strategic significance. Meanwhile, irregular migration flows and transnational criminal organizations continue to test bilateral cooperation mechanisms and demonstrate the need for a new approach to the U.S.-Mexico relationship.

Pillar I: Trade and USMCA
The U.S.-Mexico economic relationship offers substantial strategic advantages for the United States in a world shaped by economic competition. Mexico's manufacturing capacity provides the U.S. with a crucial opportunity to reduce dependency on Chinese supply chains, particularly in critical industries like semiconductors, electric vehicles, and rare earth minerals, while building up manufacturing capacity domestically. However, recent protectionist measures
threaten to undermine North American competitiveness.

The upcoming 2026 USMCA review presents a unique opportunity to strengthen North American integration and economic independence while addressing persistent challenges that impact both nations' prosperity and security.

Key Recommendations:
• Implement stricter rule-of-origin requirements to incentivize North American suppliers to reshore operations in critical industries.
• Create tax incentives to subsidize the upfront costs of nearshoring manufacturing for American businesses.
• Expand regional supply chains for semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and rare earth minerals.
• Develop a trilateral investment fund to accelerate domestic production of critical components.
• Extend the USMCA beyond 2036 while establishing mechanisms for periodic adjustments.
• Strengthen energy cooperation to enhance regional independence and security.

Pillar II: Migration Management
Irregular migration through Mexico to the United States follows four principal patterns: Northern Triangle migration, transcontinental migration, disproportionately elevated levels of migration from select Latin American states in crisis, and ongoing Mexican migration. Current approaches have proven insufficient to manage these complex flows.

Key Recommendations:
• Build a Latin American Strategic Partnership as a modernized forum to address shared migration challenges.
• Establish trilateral cooperation with Mexico and Guatemala to formalize their border and
strengthen enforcement.
• Enhance coordination between U.S. federal agencies and Mexican state-level governments to disrupt smuggling routes.
• Eliminate irregular northbound transit via freight trains through targeted enforcement.
• Conduct comprehensive labor market studies to align temporary worker programs with U.S. economic needs.
• Modernize and expand intelligence sharing systems between the United States and Mexico.
• Implement circular migration programs that facilitate legal temporary work while ensuring return to countries of origin. 

Pillar III: Security Cooperation
Transnational security threats—particularly drug trafficking by cartels now designated as Specially Designated Terrorist Groups and weapons smuggling—require modernized approaches to border management and bilateral cooperation. 

Key Recommendations:
• Implement reversible border lanes to double enforcement capacity based on daily traffic patterns.
• Establish pre-clearance programs at Mexican ports of entry for enhanced security screening.
• Invest in advanced border technology including Autonomous Surveillance Towers, American-made drones, and AI-integrated scanning systems.
• Create joint task forces focused specifically on arms trafficking and drug interdiction.
• Develop structured training programs between U.S. and Mexican border forces. 
• Increase frequency of FFL compliance inspections in border states to reduce illicit arms sales.
• Enhance crime gun intelligence sharing between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement agencies.

Conclusion
The U.S.-Mexico relationship represents far more than a border management challenge—it constitutes a strategic opportunity to advance American prosperity and security in an increasingly competitive global environment. By implementing a coordinated approach across
trade, migration, and security pillars, the United States can position North America as the world's most economically competitive region while addressing persistent bilateral challenges. 

Success will require leveraging emerging technologies, fostering greater regional cooperation, extending into Central America, and developing strategic energy initiatives that promote stability and prosperity throughout the region. This approach recognizes the interconnected nature of these challenges and creates mutually reinforcing solutions that serve the long-term interests of both the United States and Mexico.
American University Diplomacy Lab •

Attracting And Retaining Highly Skilled Foreign Workers And Investors - Analyzing The Economic And Diplomatic Impact Of Domestic Visa Renewals

Attracting And Retaining Highly Skilled Foreign Workers And Investors - Analyzing The U.S. Economic And Diplomatic Impact Of Domestic Renewal For H-1B And Other Skilled Worker And Investor Visas

By: Lurilla Bereveskos, Morissa Lambert, Declan Miller, Ally Moore, Arvin Salonga,
and Katie Yoo

Supervised by Earl Anthony Wayne, Professor
Department of State Diplomacy Lab: SISU-419-005
May 2025

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report on the anticipated effects of an expanded domestic renewal program for highly skilled worker visas reveals that the initiative would have significant tangible and psychological benefits across a range of stakeholders, including visa holders, corporations, and foreign nations, and the U.S. economy at large.

The data presented in this report, which supports this conclusion, includes extensive quantitative data as well as interviews with diplomatic representatives, visa holders, HR personnel, immigration experts, and immigration attorneys.

The benefits the data revealed varied by stakeholder, but the most crucial findings are summarized as follows:
●
For visa holders, domestic renewal will lead to savings of an estimated $5,000-10,000 per renewal cycle as well as a substantial decrease in stress and anxiety.
●
Medium to large corporations that employ a large number of visa holders stand to save an excess of $1 million and potentially more due to the foregone loss in worker productivity.
●
Foreign nations, including Mexico, Brazil, and the Philippines, would benefit from the increased ease of processing given the large number of visa holders from each of these countries. There is also reason to believe that U.S. bilateral relations with such nations
could see a minor positive benefit. These nations will also benefit from the program by virtue of uninterrupted remittances and decreased visa processing backlog.
●
The U.S. economy is expected to profit based on the findings that visa holders positively contribute to U.S. jobs and facilitate an increase in GDP such that these economic benefits can be expected to be further compounded if worker productivity is not
interrupted for foreign travel.

While these findings indicate that domestic visa renewal would benefit all visa categories substantially, the report does identify a ranking for prioritization. Based upon the consideration of the economic impact, expert opinions, the number of visa holders in each category, and other
relevant concerns, the report recommends preference for H-1B holders as well as L holders first,
followed by E and O, and eventually P and I visas.

The conclusion of this report provides further
recommendations for the increased efficiency within the visa renewal process, including with respect to the finer details of the implementation of the domestic visa renewal program.

Specifically, the report urges that as part of the program's implementation, it should allow for U.S.-based payment methods and ensure all relevant information regarding how to successfully complete the renewal process is readily available online to applicants.

This report acknowledges limitations stemming from sparse available data and difficulties acquiring interviews due to privacy concerns; however, it represents a current best estimate of the aggregate effects of the domestic visa renewal program as well as a best current
understanding of what policy choices would allow for the program’s smoothest implementation.

Further limitations of our research can be found in Appendix A.1.

Additionally, it should be noted that several visa holders and employers agreed to participate in
our interviews on the condition of anonymity. Therefore, they will be identified throughout this
report by their visa category (e.g., "[type of visa] visa holder" or “employer from industry [X]”).
The Mexico Brief. •

The Mexico Brief: What is the impact of USAID’s closure on Mexico? — The Mexico Brief.

President Donald Trump’s attempt to close the congressionally mandated agency USAID without congressional approval has shocked policymakers and activists worldwide. It doesn’t appear to have shocked Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum. She backed the closure in her Wednesday press conference, calling it “for the best” and criticizing what she described as a lack of transparency. It’s a claim that raised eyebrows among the aid community in Mexico, given how publicly accessible its work was up u...
US-Mexico Foundation •

Convocation 4.0 — US-Mexico Foundation and Mexico Institute

HighlightsTrade and CommerceModerated by Enrique Perret and Lila Abed, this discussion spotlighted the economic interdependence that drives North America’s prosperity, exploring innovative ways to deepen trade relationships.Migration and Labor MobilityAndrew Selee and Dr. Ernesto Castañeda provided invaluable insights into the region's evolving labor dynamics and migration trends, emphasizing the importance of adaptive policies for shared success.Educational and Professional ExchangeAt the Inter...
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