July 16, 2024, 11:00-12:00 CST
Diego Marroquín Bitar is the Inaugural Bersin-Foster North America Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center and the driving force behind their North America research agenda. He co-founded the North America Project at the US-Mexico Foundation and the non-profit North America 3.0.
As a think-tanker, Diego specializes in North American trade, investment, energy integration, labor mobility, and US-Mexico relations. His insights are frequently featured in publications such as The Hill, The New York Times, Foreign Affairs, Letras Libres, and El Universal. Before joining the Wilson Center, Diego worked as a Senior Researcher at the Brookings Institution, a Fellow at the US-Mexico Foundation, and a Consultant at The Economist Intelligence Unit. He created the Brookings USMCA Tracker and Scorecard. Diego received his BA from ITAM in Mexico City and earned his Masters in Public Policy from Georgetown University, where he was honored with the Global Leadership Award.
Speaker presentation
Assessing Key USMCA Metrics Looking Forward
Since coming into force on July 1, 2020, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has undergone a trial by fire and delivered remarkable results. Despite the COVID-19 crisis, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and rising tensions with China, goods trade within North America has soared, and investment flows have followed suit. With USMCA, Mexico became the United States’ biggest supplier and largest trading partner, underscoring the changing nature of US-Mexico ties from distant neighbors to a strategic partnership.
What are the key metrics behind US-Mexico ties and USMCA’s success after four years? How can both countries approach the mandatory review of the agreement in 2026, and how can the China factor affect further economic integration? Without thorough preparation and consideration of options, the upcoming review could provoke intense political scrutiny and potential adjustments that could erode North America’s competitive edge against other regions.
In an increasingly intricate geopolitical environment, USMCA’s track record reveals that enhanced integration, rather than trade fortification or narrow economic self-interest, is propelling growth and fostering opportunities for businesses, workers, and consumers across North America. If USMCA’s main challenges are adequately addressed, Canada, Mexico, and the US will be better positioned to build a skilled workforce for the future, secure inputs for the energy transition and critical supply chains, prepare for major disruptions, and retain an edge in global innovation and standard-setting.