The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA or USMCA) will introduce new and complex requirements for the automotive industry.  Not only will vehicle producers face increased Regional Value Content requirements starting July 1, 2020, but they will be required to meet the following requirements:

  1. minimum purchase requirements for North American steel and aluminum;
  2. labour value content requirements

The Canada Border Services Agency (“CBSA”) has created a new dedicated Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (“CUMSA”) web-page on which implementation information will be posted to assist importers and exporters. CUSMA / USMCA / NAFTA 2.0 is scheduled to enter into force on July 1, 2020 and there will be no transition period.  This means that importers

We now know the dated that the Canada-United States- Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) (or USMCA under US terminology) will enter into effect to replace the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): July 1, 2020.  This does not mean that the governments are ready to enforce CUSMA – Canada, United States and Mexico must now negotiate and

There have been a few developments in the NAFTA 2.0/USMCA/CUSMA process in the past few weeks.

1. The Government of Mexico published in the July 29, 2019 issue of the Official Gazette a decree that was signed by Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to complete the final step in the ratification process in Mexico. 

On September 30, 2018, Canada, the United States and Mexico announced the conclusion of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (the “CUSMA” or “USMCA” or “NAFTA 2.0”), a modernized free trade agreement that will replace the existing North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”).  On November 30, 2018, the CUSMA was signed by each

Canada

On September, 2018, the United States, Canada, and Mexico announced that a new NAFTA was agreed and would be called the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (“USMCA”) (also known as NAFTA 2.0).  The text of the USMCA was posted on the United States Trade Representative website. LexSage has published an USMCA Resource Guide with USMCA Chapters,

Late in the evening on September 30, 2018, the United States, Canada and Mexico announced the conclusion of negotiations of the United States – Mexico – Canada Agreement (”USMCA”) (also known as NAFTA 2.0). While the text of USMCA remains to be finalized, formally signed and ratified by each of the three countries, a preliminary

U.S.A.

On May 31, 2108, President Trump issued two Presidential Proclamations, which impose steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada. All exports of covered steel will be subject to a 25% import tariff (Canadian steel into the United States) and all exports of covered aluminum products will be subject to a 10% tariff (Canadian aluminum

Will President Trump terminate NAFTA?  Unfortunately, we don’t know.  Some days, press reports suggest a growing possibility that he will take steps to terminate the agreement.  Other days, President Trump’s pronouncements hint that he may be prepared to further negotiations. This leaves organizations in a difficult position.  If President Trump does issue a notification of

The next NAFTA Modernization negotiation round will take place in Montreal, Quebec on January 23-28, 2018.  Will this be the last round of the negotiations?  Will President Trump threaten to withdraw from NAFTA when the negotiators are gathering on Canadian soil?  Or, will there be a seventh round in the United States in early March?