USMCA Meeting: Ministry Level

July 14, 2021

Institutional context

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) was signed on November 30, 2018 and entered into force on July 1, 2020. This agreement is built on the basis of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The USMCA added trade provisions, for example, dispute resolution provisions and important commitments regarding labor and the environment. It also includes new sectors, such as the digital economy, and mechanisms to improve three-way cooperation to keep up with economic changes and global competition.

USMCA Ministry Level Meeting

The trade ministers of the United States, Mexico and Canada met in Mexico City on July 7th to commemorate the first year anniversary of the USMCA entering into force. The meeting was attended by Mexico’s Secretary of Economy, Tatiana Clouthier; the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Katherine Tai; and the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade of Canada, Mary Ng.

The Ministers discussed opportunities to strengthen the trilateral relationship and ensure the long-term growth and competitiveness of the region, working together as friends, neighbors, and allies to build a more inclusive and resilient North American economic partnership; they also agreed that the USMCA should benefit workers, businesses, and farmers.