Transcript

© Global Research Institute of International Trade 2018. All Rights Reserved.

Hello to my international trade community. This is Dr. Sarita Jackson

continuing to share insight on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or

USMCA. Over the last two weeks, I have enjoyed speaking with Southern

California business executives ranging from those in law to real estate to

marketing, among others, about how the USMCA modernizes the North

American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA. Some of this information can

be found in my most recent podcast – The Politics of USMCA.

One comment that emerged from my presentation was that some thought

that the USMCA had been implemented. Well, not just yet. I would like to

share what to watch out for this month regarding the USMCA.

On November 29th or 30th, the three North American countries anticipate

signing the agreement. So far, only the text has been released. The next

step is to actually sign the USMCA.

Should the USMCA be signed on November 30th this date is significant for

two reasons:
 1) The start date of the G20 Summit to be held in Buenos Aires,

Argentina, during which the leaders of the North American countries

are scheduled to attend, per public reports

2) This date is one day prior to the December 1st date that Mexican

President Elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who at one point was

a strong critic of NAFTA, will formally take office

Until the USMCA is signed, North American Trade is still being conducted

under the original NAFTA.

What questions do you have about the USMCA? Send them to us at

griit@griit.org.