USMCA Not 'Bulletproof,' Mexican Exporters Warn, Urging Stronger Legal Certainty Amid Annual Reviews

Mexican export business leaders have expressed concern that the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is not fully secured, citing the annual review process as a key vulnerability. Eva María Muñoz, president of the Mexican Association of Customs Brokers (Amacarga), stated that while the agreement remains in effect, it has not been "bulletproofed."

The USMCA will conclude in 2036, as the United States opted not to extend it to 2042, leaving a decade of annual reviews. Muñoz emphasized that this period requires "preparation, permanent dialogue, and decisions based on technical evidence."

Muñoz explained that future reviews will demand higher levels of regulatory compliance, document traceability, and transparency in foreign trade operations. This will involve increasingly rigorous validation of information related to the origin of goods and all electronic documentation supporting each shipment. She added that North America's competitiveness will depend on the region's ability to anticipate changes and strengthen logistics as a strategic pillar for economic development.

Despite these challenges, Muñoz noted that the treaty's continuity provides stability for North American trade. However, the annual reviews make it essential to bolster legal certainty, digitalize logistics, and ensure the participation of international customs brokers as strategic players in Mexican foreign trade. Amacarga participated in public consultations, submitting a technical document with recommendations focused on trade facilitation, logistics digitalization, regulatory efficiency, institutional coordination, and recognizing the role of international customs brokers.