Hot Topics in International Trade
[Podcast] USMCA in Review, with C.J. Mahoney, Former Deputy U.S. Trade Representative
Torres Talks Trade podcast Episode 8 on Worker-Centered Trade
Inclusive Trade at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR): A Conversation with Jamila Thompson
WorldSmart: The Impact of Export Control and Economic Sanctions on International Business
Nota Bene Episode 113: Common Markets and the Race for Power in Africa with Andreas Stargard
Trade Relations and Top Trade Priorities Around the Globe
Nota Bene Episode 70: Examining the USMCA: Is it Simply a Rebranded NAFTA? with Scott Maberry
On July 31, 2025, President Trump issued two executive orders that further refine U.S. trade policy. The first executive order, “Further Modifying the Reciprocal Tariff Rates” (the RT Order), adjusts tariff rates for various...more
From a Mexican resident’s perspective, who is also involved in international trade, it appears that since the Trump administration took office, the global economic scenario has been altered by an escalating trade war,...more
BACKGROUND Since taking office on January 20, 2025, the Trump Administration has undertaken an aggressive trade policy that has impacted, and will continue to impact, all countries trading with the US. Many of the actions...more
Here we are. August , 2025, and the media is now publishing what facts they have on the various trade deals as well as those that have yet to come to fruition, in addition to the new announcement of imposed global tariffs...more
President Trump has been clear that tariffs will be a policy cornerstone of his second administration. Whether being used as leverage to extract policy concessions or to address true bilateral trade imbalances, the threat of...more
In today’s complex global marketplace, businesses are increasingly confronted with the challenges of supply chain disruptions, rising costs, and fierce competition—all exacerbated by trade remedy tariffs. While many of these...more
After 25 years of negotiations, the European Union and the Southern Common Market, commonly known as Mercosur, comprised of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, signed a free trade agreement. I think this, among many...more
President-elect Trump has indicated that he will immediately increase tariffs as to imports from multiple countries, most notably China, Mexico, and Canada. However, companies involved in international trade are closely...more
This is the third in a three-part series on new challenges for businesses presented by the USMCA from Canadian and Mexican perspectives. Part one looked at trade and customs and part two at labour....more
This is the second in a three-part series on new challenges for businesses presented by the USMCA from Canadian and Mexican perspectives. Part one looked at trade and customs and part three will look at anti-corruption....more
This is the first in a three-part series on new challenges for businesses presented by the USMCA from Canadian and Mexican perspectives. Part two will look at labour and part three at anti-corruption....more
Contaminated groundwater plume in north Orange County placed on federal Superfund list - Orange County Register – September 1 - A five-square-mile plume of contaminated groundwater in north Orange County has been...more
The United States – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA) goes into effect today, replacing the 25 year old NAFTA treaty. Updating NAFTA was one of the highest priorities of the Trump administration; USMCA eventually garnered...more
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement known as the USMCA is effective July 1, 2020. The USMCA replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) which expired June 30, 2020. As it relates to US immigration, the...more
On July 1, 2020, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (“USMCA”) will enter into full force, when it will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”) as the primary agreement governing trade relations...more
On 24 April 2020 United States Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer notified Congress that the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will enter into force 1 July 2020. As a result, the North American Free...more
The USMCA permits CBP to verify whether a good entered with a claim for preferential tariff treatment qualifies as originating by: (1) Written request or questionnaire to the importer, exporter, or producer of the good...more
The USMCA textile and apparel rules of origin are generally based on the “yarn forward” rule, which requires the formation of the yarn (spinning or extruding) and all processes following yarn formation to occur in the USMCA...more
The USMCA does not require the use of CBP Form 434, as there is no prescribed format for certificate of origins under the USMCA. These certifications are to be completed by the exporter, producer, or importer certifying that...more
The United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) was signed by U.S. President Donald Trump, former Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on November 30, 2018. The USMCA was designed...more
As trade with our North American neighbors continues to evolve and grow, we’re taking a closer look at the newly ratified United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and examining how the new Agreement will impact trade...more
The United States, Canada, and Mexico are poised to usher in a new phase in the shared fight against corruption For the first time in history, the United States has ratified a free trade agreement that includes provisions...more
The United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) is noteworthy for its novel “facility specific rapid response labor mechanism” (the Rapid Response Mechanism or Mechanism). The Mechanism permits the United States or...more
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump signed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Implementation Act, which ratifies the trade agreement that will soon replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)....more
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) into law. The USMCA contains a number of key and last-minute revisions that implicate biologic medicines and patent obligations. ...more