Tag Archives: NAFTA

U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement Enters Into Force

Government News Comments
USMCA

On July 1, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement entered into force, officially replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement. USMCA is the first trade agreement ever to include a full chapter dedicated to small business interests. The modernization of trade with Mexico and Canada under USMCA is designed to benefit U.S. small businesses. It will also ensure more balanced trade. U.S. companies with fewer than 500 employees comprise 65 to 70 percent…

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INNO Discusses a “New Era” for Trade

Events Featured Government News Comments
Jose Espinosa Alvarez, an instructor at Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas, speaks at STC’s 7th annual INNO Conference Nov. 1.

South Texas College’s seventh annual Binational Innovation Conference (INNO) took place Nov. 1. This year’s conference brought together those from industry, education and economic development. Each brought pertinent information with a focus on both innovation and the impact of students on the future workforce. “A New Era of Manufacturing in South Texas and Northern Mexico” centered primarily on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The proposed agreement looks to modernize the 24-year-old…

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Maquilas Remain Critical to Border Economy

e-Brief Features Featured Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments
Keith Patridge, president and chief executive officer of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation, discusses the maquiladora program and its continued growth along the U.S.-Mexico border. (VBR)

The U.S.-Mexico border region is a hotbed of global competition that began with the creation of the maquiladora program in 1964. In the past 40-plus years, the twin-plant concept has certainly pumped enormous amounts of money. It has also led to the creation of thousands of jobs benefiting both countries, and there is no sign it will slow down. Established by Mexico as the Border Industrialization Program, a maquiladora is…

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Trade Pact Seen as Positive

Events News Comments
Keith Patridge, president and chief executive officer of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation, discusses international trade and the possible impact of a new trade agreement. (VBR)

While the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the replacement for the North American Free Trade Agreement, waits for ratification by all three countries involved, indications are that the new trade deal will be good for the South Texas economy, and all along the U.S.-Mexico border. “What was happening under NAFTA, and this was a problem with NAFTA, it opened up plants being able to move to Mexico without any type of restriction…

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The Current State of U.S./Mexico Relations

e-Brief Features Events Featured News Comments

The future economics between the United States and Mexico will be very interesting. All eyes will be on future trade relations, especially after Dec. 1 due to incoming president Andres Manuel Lopez. With current rocky trade relations between the United States and China, Mexico has plenty to gain under the new NAFTA terms. On Nov. 9, Duncan Wood, director of the Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute, spoke at the McAllen Performing…

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IBC Executive Meets with Mexican Leaders

Featured Finance/Banking News Comments
IBC Bank Executive Vice President Gerry Schwebel and Chief of Staff designee and Liaison to the Mexican private sector Alfonso Romo

IBC Bank Executive Vice President Gerald “Gerry” Schwebel recently participated in a mission to Mexico City to meet with leaders of the incoming government of President-elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Organizer of the mission was the U.S.-Mexico CEO Dialogue, an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The group, made up of both U.S. and Mexican leaders, addresses core issues in the countries’ bilateral relationship. Schwebel and other representatives met with…

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How Will NAFTA Changes Affect the RGV?

Events News Comments
USMCA

NAFTA issues that directly impact the border region will be the topics of discussion in a conference April 20 in McAllen. The “Renegotiating NAFTA: Challenges and Opportunities” Conference aims to educate attendees on how NAFTA renegotiations could change the local quality of life in South Texas. The conference will include also roundtable discussions on strategies that are applicable in preparing for changes in NAFTA. Topics include investment and job creation, as…

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Numbers Offer Proof of NAFTA Benefits

e-Brief Features Featured News Comments
NAFTA

The numbers are impressive. The North American Free Trade Agreement has had a profound impact on the economies of the United States, Mexico and Canada, the three nations party to the agreement implemented in 1994. NAFTA has been a driving force behind increases in Texas exports, which reached $247 billion by 2015, the best in the country and followed by California with $163 billion, according to statistics compiled by Jesus…

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