March 16, 2018

MEXPORT is a premier cross-border business expo promoting trade and business opportunities in the Cali-Baja region. The expo will take place in San Diego on April 26^th, and with over 180 booths, it provides a space for executives and business owners to showcase their components, products, and services to major manufacturers in San Diego and Baja California.

Attendance is complimentary, though registration is strongly encouraged to guarantee access to an expedited line at the expo. A diverse group of industrial suppliers and service providers participate in this trade show every year, making MEXPORT a great opportunity for business owners to explore and expand their Cali-Baja market.

For event details, booth or attendance registration, please visit their website.

March 16, 2018

In collaboration with the Mexican Consulate in San Diego and the Tijuana Economic Development Corporation, the Cali-Israel Mexico Innovation Expo is a regional conference centered in Southern California and the Cali-Baja region of Mexico focusing on cross-border investment, venture capital, education, and asset management. The event provides partnership and investment opportunities, showcasing the next generation of Israeli innovations from state-of-the-art drone prototypes to renewable energy systems, medical devices, mobile technology, and cyber technology to agribusiness.

Chamber President Jerry Sanders will provide welcoming remarks as part of the event’s opening alongside Ambassador Marcela Celorio, Consul General of Mexico in San Diego. Additionally, Paola Avila, Vice President of International Business Affairs, will participate in a panel sharing the Chamber’s work and leadership in the promotion of cross-border commerce in the San Diego-Baja California binational region.

The Expo will take place at the BIT Center in Tijuana, from March 19^th to the 21^st. Attendance is free for business representatives, and Chamber members registering as exhibitors will receive a $500 discount (please use the code 500SDCC). For event details, and to register, please visit the Expo’s website.

March 16, 2018

Roberta Jacobson, U.S. ambassador to Mexico announce announced be stepping down from her position in May in search of new opportunities outside the government. In a message to U.S. embassy personnel, she reiterated the importance of the U.S.-Mexico relationship and commented “you know how great our two countries are, and that we are stronger together”.

Jacobson had been appointed by former President Obama in 2015 after roughly three decades in the State Department as one of the government’s most experienced Latin American experts. White House officials shared plans to nominate Ed Whitacre, former chairman and CEO of General Motors and business partner of Carlos Slim.

March 16, 2018

In his first visit to California since taking office, President Trump, toured the border wall prototypes. In a statement regarding this visit, Chamber President and CEO Jerry Sanders highlighted that trade between the U.S. and Mexico surpasses $1.4 billion per day, 80 percent of which crosses the U.S.-Mexico land border every day. The Chamber’s focus has been on improving border infrastructure, and looks forward to “the opportunity to continue conversations with the Administration about the critical infrastructure projects lacking funding which benefit both security and trade.”

At the Chamber, our mission as champions for cross-border commerce has never been more critical. Home to the busiest land port of entry, our Cali-Baja region has a thriving economy and will continue to do business together regardless of a wall. Focused on funding infrastructure to move legitimate trade, we believe that to increase border security we need to increase efficiency. We continue to lead international trade initiatives, policies, and joint projects such as the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry, Unified Cargo Inspection, Cross-Border Railway, and free trade agreements to promote regional and national economic growth and job opportunities.

To learn more about border infrastructure priorities and projects, click here. To read Jerry Sanders’ full statement regarding President Trump’s visit, click here.

March 16, 2018

Earlier this month, VP Paola Avila traveled to McAllen and Brownsville, Texas, as Chair of the Border Trade Alliance to foster deeper collaboration on cross border trade related policy issues including NAFTA. She met with the Mayor of McAllen, executives from the Pharr International Bridge, the City of Harlingen and EDC, the Port of Harlingen, and the Port of Brownsville.

While in Brownsville, she toured the port and spoke at a press conference at the Veteran’s International Port of Entry, celebrating the ground breaking for a new FAST lane to expedite commerce through the region. Avila additionally met with area business leaders and CBP’s David Higgerson, Director of Field Operations, and Bradd Skinner, Assistant Director for Trade Operations.

March 16, 2018

President Trump signed two proclamations levying tariffs on aluminum and steel imports with exemption of Mexico and Canada. In the week leading up to the signing, the Chamber reached out to targeted members to analyze the impact and gather information to convey to the Department of Commerce. Regardless of the exclusions, these tariffs will have a negative impact on our local and national economy. We continue to work with the administration to convey information and seek additional exemptions.

While there are approximately 140,000 jobs in the steel manufacturing industry, more than 6.5 million jobs rely on steel components, a third of which are imported. The unintended consequences are significant and far reaching. California is among the top five states that import steel. With an imposed tariff on steel imports, any benefit that California companies might receive from recent tax cuts will be nullified with increased costs. These costs are then passed on to the American customer on a wide variety of products such as cars, appliances, and houses. Furthermore, it is also likely that other countries including main trading partners, will take retaliatory action on U.S. exports resulting in additional U.S. job loss.

The 25 percent tariff on imported steel and a 10 percent levy on imported aluminum is expected to take effect before the end of the month.

March 16, 2018

Round seven of the NAFTA talks concluded March 5^th in Mexico City with three additional chapters concluded: Good Regulatory Practices, Administration and Publication, and Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. Work was also completed on sectoral annexes related to chemicals and proprietary food formulas, and substantial progress was made on the Telecommunications and Technical Barriers to Trade chapter. Negotiators also agreed on including an additional chapter on energy.

As negotiations continue, six out of the thirty chapters in the agreement have been concluded. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer stated that he is open “to compromise” on U.S. proposals in hopes of an updated agreement through the current Congress, but is prepared to seek separate agreements with Mexico or Canada if the U.S. walks out of NAFTA.

Round eight of negotiations is expected to be held in Washington in April.