On July 1, the United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) officially replaced the 26-year North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), following three years of work between the three countries.
Updates to key industries such as digital trade and intellectual property, along with stricter labor provisions, were key negotiating provisions in the agreement. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be working at ports of entry to incorporate new requirements as businesses manage through updated rules during the COVID-19 pandemic.
San Antonio has a rich history with the trade agreement, beginning with the initialing of the historic NAFTA in San Antonio in 1992. During the three years of negotiations of the USMCA, Chamber President and CEO Richard Perez attended meetings in Canada and Mexico to discuss the economic impact trade has on our community, with supply chains intertwined after decades of successful commerce. In addition, we submitted public comments and testified in support of modernizing the agreement. This week, we are excited celebrate the great work of business and government leaders from all three countries.
For information on our engagement on this trade agreement or others, contact Vice President of Economic Development, Belinda Garza Hartwig, at bhartwig@sachamber.org.
