May 4, 2017

On April 17, 2017, Alex Hinojosa, the former Deputy Managing Director of the North American Development Bank (NADB), was named by the Board to serve as Acting Managing Director to replace Gerónimo Gutiérrez, who was recently appointed Ambassador of Mexico to the United States. Dr. Calixto Mateos, the former Director of Risk Management and Control for NADB, has been named Acting Deputy Managing Director. We were pleased to have Mr. Mateos join us at the Chamber’s Congressional Luncheon last month.

Read the full press release here.

May 4, 2017

In April, an executive order to review the H-1B visa program was issued. This offers an opportunity for the business community to voice our opinion and provide input. H-1B visas are an important tool for businesses to hire the talented workforce necessary to grow their companies and compete on a global scale. This visa program is often utilized to retain existing talent residing in the U.S. who attend our local universities.

Read the executive order here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/04/18/presidential-executive-order-buy-american-and-hire-american

May 4, 2017

The Chamber is proud to sponsor a state bill authored by Senator Hueso which would establish a California trade office in Mexico City. Given the uncertainty at the federal level regarding the United States’ trading partnership with Mexico, it is vital that California and Mexico maintain open and ongoing discussions about economic opportunities. Through this effort, we can reassure both our civic and business leaders that we value robust trade and open dialogue with each other. By opening a trade and investment office in the commercial and political capital of Mexico, SB 357 would strengthen the California and Mexico economies and contribute to the prosperity of both of the American and Mexican people.

The bill has cleared its first hurdle in the legislative process receiving unanimous approval in the Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee on April 24.

Call to Action: Please add your signature and logo to our letter (download here) or submit your individual letter of support. For more on SB 357, view the fact sheet.

May 4, 2017

NAFTA

The recent report of a draft Executive Order withdrawing from NAFTA sparked great concern within the San Diego business community. While the Chamber agrees that NAFTA is due for an update, exiting the agreement is a threat to thousands of local jobs dependent on trade and would severely impair our region’s global competitiveness. The Chamber expressed opposition to the withdrawal order to key Congressional offices providing specific data on industries and jobs at risk.

Late Wednesday, April 26^th, the White House released a statement announcing the President has agreed not to terminate NAFTA and would revert back to the process of renegotiation. We applaud the President’s swift action working with the leaders of our neighboring countries and main trading partners and his response to business advocates. We are in full support of the administration’s immediate engagement in renegotiations. There remains much work to do leading up to the renegotiation as much is at risk for our members. The Chamber continues its advocacy efforts and encourages our members to remain engaged on this topic.

Trade Agreement Review and Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy

Following the NAFTA statement, on Saturday, April 29^th, two new executive orders were announced – one to review the existing U.S. trade agreements and the other to establish a new White House “Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy” (OTMP). The agreements review will be submitted to the president within 180 days. The OTMP will serve as a liaison between the White House and Department of Commerce to present innovative strategies and “to defend and serve American workers and domestic manufacturers while advising the president on policies to increase economic growth, decrease the trade deficit, and strengthen the United States manufacturing and defense industrial bases.”

Related links:

Chamber President and CEO Jerry Sanders spoke with KPBS about the threat of withdrawal from NAFTA Trump Says U.S. Will Not Leave NAFTA — For Now | KPBS

U.S. Chamber President and CEO Tom Donohue made a strong pro-NAFTA speech in Mexico (remarks here and a summary blog here).

April 10, 2017

Mayor Gastelum of Tijuana & Mayor Faulconer of San Diego

Leading up to the Chamber’s annual advocacy trip to Mexico City, both Mayor Faulconer of San Diego and Mayor Gastelum of Tijuana addressed the Chamber Board of Directors to express their commitment to binational collaboration. A week before addressing the Board, the Mayors renewed the agreement between the City of San Diego and the City of Tijuana which establishes frequent communication and collaboration among department heads in both cities.

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

April 10, 2017

The Chamber’s 12^th Annual Binational Delegation to Mexico City brought nearly 90 business and community leaders as well as elected officials from San Diego and Baja, California to Mexico’s capital. The focus of our trip was to reaffirm our region’s commitment to binational collaboration, strengthen diplomatic and economic ties, and advance the policies that benefit both economies. And great success was achieved on all fronts.

2017 Binational Delegation to Mexico City

Trip highlights and successes include:

• Signing an MOU with the Mexican Senate.
• Received support from Luis Videgaray, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, SRE, to re-establish the cross-border railroad.
• Received confirmation of Mexican land concession and an operating date of 2020 for Otay II port of entry.
• Enjoyed a reception hosted by U.S. Ambassador Roberta Jacobson at her residence.

For more information on the trip, read the full recap here.