First Meeting of the Trade Commission of the USMCA
May 19, 2021
Institutional context
The Free Trade Commission was established in accordance with Article 30.1 of the Additional Protocol of the United States - Mexico - Canada Agreement (USMCA) in June 2020. The Free Trade Commission is made up of government representatives from each country at the level of Ministers or a designated person. In accordance with this Protocol, any discussion held by the Free Trade Commission must include the participation of a Minister responsible for the matter in dispute, or the person designated by them. Ordinary meetings of the Free Trade Commission will take place once a year, in person or online, unless the countries agree otherwise. Finally, the Free Trade Commission must hold its first ordinary meeting within the first year of the USMCA entering into force.
First meeting of the Free Trade Commission 2021
After almost a year of the USMCA entering into force, the first meeting of the Commission was held on May 19th, 2021. Which complies with the stipulation of holding the first meeting within the first year of the treaty.
Participants
Mary Ng - Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade of Canada
Katherine Tai - Minister of the United States Trade Representative (USTR, in English)
Tatiana Clouthier - Minister of Economy of the Government of Mexico
Main Agreements
The Committee on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Affairs will convene the first SME Dialogue of the USMCA from October 13th-14th, in San Antonio, Texas.
To explore new approaches on how to engage underrepresented communities in business matters.
To promote trade policies that support good jobs protected by fair, strong, and efficient labor laws.
To increase cooperation in law enforcement in areas of wildlife trafficking and illegal logging.
Next steps
It was agreed to continue holding outreach meetings with underrepresented communities and hold a meeting of Commercial Vice Ministers and Deputy Commercial Representative, before the end of 2021, to evaluate progress and future opportunities. Likewise, the Ministry of Economy will continue to coordinate the efforts of the pertinent agencies of the Federal Public Administration during this technical and legal work, to ensure that the USMCA enters into force successfully during the second semester of this year.
