April 10, 2017

On March 31, President Trump signed two Executive Orders related to trade. The first requires the Office of the United States Trade Representative and the Department of Commerce to prepare a report examining trade with countries with which the United States had a significant 2016 trade deficit in goods. The second order directs the Department of Homeland Security to enhance the collection of antidumping and countervailing duty orders by improving bonding requirements and other policies addressing risk assessment procedures. For more on the newly signed orders, see this article from The Washington Post.

NAFTA has had a positive impact on the growth of our region for 23 years; Mexico is San Diego’s No. 1 export market, with $5.5 billion in goods exported to Mexico last year. The Chamber is in agreement that NAFTA is due for an update to provisions including e-commerce; the need for a trilateral investment in border infrastructure and workforce training; a strengthening of enforcement; and eliminating barriers to services exports.

With formal negotiations expected to begin this summer, we are engaged in efforts to communicate the benefits of trade and the trilateral relationship with Canada and Mexico with decision makers. Join our efforts by speaking with your government representatives and share your trade stories with us.

To learn more about the trade relationship view the following infographic:

click to enlarge image