Global Executive Forum - USMCA, COVID-19, and Cross-Border Issues

Description

USMCA, COVID-19, and Cross-Border Issues
****THIS EVENT IS CLOSED TO THE MEDIA****

In November 2018, representatives from the United States, Mexico and Canada signed the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA), an agreement reached to modernize NAFTA, which has been designed to better serve the interests of workers, farmers, and businesses and support mutually beneficial trade leading to freer markets, fairer trade, and robust economic growth in North America. A little over one year later, the 3 partners agreed to additional measures regarding labour protection, environmental protection, intellectual property and auto rules of origin

The United States and Canada share the largest two-way trading relationship in the world. Of the 50 U.S. states, 46 of them count Canada as their first, second or third most important export market and supports millions of jobs throughout the United States. The Consul General of Canada to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Joe Comartin will discuss the recent joint Canada-U.S. decision to limit movement across the border, while continuing to support critical supply chains, trade, and essential travel while both countries work to fight the rapidly evolving COVID-19 crisis.  Mexico became the principal trading partner of the United States in 2019, representing $1.5 billion of products traded bilaterally every single day. For the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Mexico represents one of the top five export destinations as well as the first import partner, supporting thousands of jobs in the state.  With the recent bilateral initiative to limit movement of nonessential travel for 30 days, Luis E. Franco, the Consul of Mexico to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, will share the actions implemented in Mexico to support trade and the economic activities, as well as to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

The global pandemic caused by COVID-19 is challenging companies, countries, and disrupting supply chains.  What do you need to know about USMCA to hit the ground running on day 1 of implementation?  What is going on at the borders with Canada and Mexico, and how are countries handling cross-border trade in the midst of COVID-19?  What resources and information is available to companies to facilitate the flow of trade between our three countries, and where can they report any cross-border issues?

Join the World Trade Center Kentucky for a high-level discussion on USMCA. We will explore the impacts for Kentucky's businesses.

Our keynote and panelists will include officials from the Canada and Mexico Consulates along with United States. This will be a border to border presentation from all three countries.  Our panel of experts from the US, Mexico, and Canada will each discuss the USMCA and join us for an in-depth discussion.

To find out more about our panelists follow the links below to read their full bios.

Geri Word - Director, Office of North America, U.S. Department of Commerce 

Joe Comartin - Consul General of Canada to Kentucky, Consulate General of Canada in Detroit

Luis E. Franco - Consul General, Consulate of Mexico in Indianapolis