The USMCA, and Beyond the Negotiating Table

Welcome to The View from North America — my quick-take on the macro policy, data, and regional dynamics shaping the cross-border corridor. If you watched the headlines out of Mexico City this past week, you know the gears of North American trade are spinning. Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard and the U.S. Trade Representative’s team are actively…

Tough straits: Americans and the world respond.

The spring of 2026 arrived and brought with it a sobering reality: the US administration’s “doctrine of coercion” is bumping up against both the law and public sentiment. President Trump’s use of blunt-force tariffs and a superior military have reshaped certain theaters. However, the US Supreme Court has limited the executive’s use of IEEPA for…

Geopolitical shift, a North American shield.

2026 blew in at a dizzying pace, headlined by the “tale of two speeches” at Davos which underscored a profound reordering of global alliances and confirmation that we can no longer rely on the predictability of the past.  This February marks 4 full years since Vladimir Putin first invaded Ukraine. While Russia held its ground in 2025, Moscow did not make any…

Mexico: Elections, VP Harris visit and more.

This week, Vice President Kamala Harris visited Guatemala and Mexico in her first trip abroad. The diplomatic visit came on the heels of Mexico’s largest election in history, widely seen as a referendum of the first half of López Obrador’s six-year term, even though the president himself wasn’t on the ballot.  On Sunday, Mexicans turned out…

U.S./ Mexico: Time for a more ambitious agenda.

Less than 72 hours ago, Vice President Kamala Harris met virtually with Mexican President Andrés López Manual Obrador to discuss cooperation on addressing migration from Central America and spurring development in southern Mexico. The two leaders will meet again next month during Harris’ first international trip to Mexico and Guatemala. I spoke with CBSN’s Tanya Rivero about the…

Opinion | Ally shoring, a critical opportunity for North America

The following piece first appeared in Mexico Today, by Reforma. You can find it here, or continue reading. In his first 100 days, President Joe Biden set out rebuild vital economic and political relationships with our allies in the region and around the world. Mexico, a crucial ally and one of our leading trade partners,…

Commentary: Guest worker visas would ease border situation

The following piece first appeared in the San Antonio Express-News. You can find it here, or continue reading. President Joe Biden’s first 100 days have been tested by tens of thousands of people arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border. It’s a situation we’ve seen many times before, but a variety of conditions have exacerbated the problem.…

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